The University of Utah’s emeriti faculty and staff continue to support the university in many essential ways long after their formal service to the institution ends, including through financial contributions. During the 2021-22 fiscal year, emeriti giving topped $8 million.

“It is especially gratifying to know that those who gave so much in service to the university are willing to give even more of themselves by contributing financially,” said Heidi Woodbury, the university’s vice president for institutional advancement. “Their ongoing generosity is deeply appreciated and demonstrates their commitment to the university’s continued success.”

This is the first time the impact of emeriti giving has been tallied. In total, University Advancement has identified almost $58 million of emeriti all-time giving in their database of records dating back to the 1950s. In 2005, advancement began tracking emeriti faculty as a specific type of donor. Currently, the University of Utah Professors Emeriti Club has approximately 1,200 members.

“Emeriti are among the strongest supporters of all aspects of the university, not only through their donations,” said Ken Jameson, president of the club and emeritus professor of economics.

Jameson and others, including former emeriti club president Jerilyn McIntyre, an emerita professor of communication and a former university vice president and interim president, are working with advancement to explore new avenues to increase the impact of emeriti giving. As part of this process, they are holding a focus group meeting to discuss possibilities on Sept. 29 from 5-7 p.m. at the Ken Garff Scholarship Club in Rice-Eccles Stadium.

“This is a natural extension of the emeriti’s many years of dedication to the educational mission of the U,” Jameson said.