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Alumni & Friends

As an alumnus and friend of the School of Journalism and Electronic Media, you understand and appreciate the value of your UT experience and the opportunities it affords you. We strive to make those same opportunities available to today’s students.

Unfortunately, tuition and fees alone do not enable us to keep pace with the education required to prepare students for careers in the rapidly changing and converging fields of communication and information. But, that’s where you can help.

With a gift of support, regardless of the amount, you are making a thoughtful and valuable choice–to invest in the lives of our students and the future. Your contributions enable us to continue to support promising students, exceptional faculty and distinctive programs.

We invite you to consider these ways of shaping tomorrow’s opportunities.


Gifts of Cash

This is one of the most popular ways of investing in the college. Donors receive an immediate charitable income tax deduction and can designate the gift to a particular program, scholarship or project. There is no minimum dollar amount. In addition, many companies and corporations will match the gifts made by their employees or associates—multiplying the benefits of a gift to the college.

Funding an endowment is another opportunity to invest. Endowment funding is vital to the support of chairs and professorships, scholarships, programs, and other enhancements to the academic experience in the College of Communication and Information. Moreover, endowed funds are perpetual gifts—linking past, current and future generation. They enable us to make commitments far into the future knowing that resources to meet those commitments will continue to be available. A gift of $25,000 or more can create an endowment honoring the donor or anyone the donor specifies. It can be funded with a one time commitment or over a number of years—building to full endowment.


Planned Gifts

There are many ways to support the School of Journalism and Electronic Media without writing a check.

A gift through a will or living trust is an easy and flexible way to support the college. Donors can leave a specific dollar amount or a percentage of their total estate to help ensure a thriving future for the college.

Beneficiary designations are another way to make a big impact at the college. By making us the beneficiary of all or a portion of a retirement plan, life insurance policy or commercial annuity, donors can make a positive impact on the college for generations of future Volunteers.

Donors who are looking for tax-wise ways to support the college may want to consider gifts of securities, real estate, or other property that has appreciated in value. Donating appreciated assets can help reduce or eliminate federal capital gains taxes on the transfer and may likely entitle the donor to a federal income tax charitable deduction.

There are also ways to make a charitable gift to the college while receiving an income stream in return. Gifts of charitable remainder trust and charitable gift annuities offer tax benefits and the option for income while supporting the College of Communication and Information.

Contact Information

To learn more about the opportunities above and other ways you can become involved, please contact Mark Geller, the CCI Director of Development, by phone (865-974-3211) or e-mail (mgeller@utfi.org). We would enjoy talking with you about your UT experience and the college today.