OSU Foundation’s Cowboy Calling Program Announces
Caller of the Year, Top Three Fundraisers

In past three years, about 200 callers raised more than $1.6 million in gifts, pledges

Despite an uncertain economy, the Oklahoma State University Foundation’s Cowboy Callers are experiencing great success, with preliminary figures showing they secured more than 7,000 annual gifts and pledges totaling approximately $684,000 during the academic year. The Cowboy Calling program has also recognized its Caller of the Year and top three fundraisers.

Sophie Nulliner, a psychology sophomore from Tulsa, was named Caller of the Year after raising $21,138. Heather Briggs, the Foundation’s annual giving coordinator, said she chose Nulliner for several reasons.

“All year long she was consistent, always meeting goals,” Briggs said. “More than that, she shows leadership, initiative and a passion for what we do. She has true Cowboy spirit.”

Nulliner said she was surprised by the honor and had to fight back tears, which is out of character for her. She has been a Cowboy Caller since August and finds the job extremely rewarding.

“My scholarship came from funds another caller raised,” Nulliner said. “Every penny I can help bring in, each cent that a donor gives, it does something big here. I love the calls where the alumni are interested in my call and want to help out, even if it’s just a small gift.”

The top fundraiser for the year is Leslie Weihs, an accounting sophomore from Llano, Texas. She raised $30,150 between her start date in January and April 30.

“In my experience, you talk to a lot of different people from different walks of life,” Weihs said. “Especially the older alumni who have a lot of advice for the students. More than anything, I like hearing their background and how their experiences here at OSU took them into experiences in life. I think it’s a really interesting job.”

Just behind Weihs is Curtis Moss, a geography sophomore from Claremore. Moss, who raised $29,330 during the academic year, was recently promoted to supervisor. He is an Army National Guard specialist who was deployed to Iraq for a year before coming to OSU.

“I mostly like being able to help people with scholarships,” Moss said.

The third-highest fundraiser is Amy Miller, an elementary education junior from Chandler. She started in January and raised $27,780 by the April 30 deadline.

“For me, this job is all about getting to talk to all of the alumni,” Miller said. “What allowed me to be able to raise the money is I tried to make every call as personal as possible.”

Briggs said the trio is successful because they are able to build relationships over the phone. The program’s intent is to contact alumni on a personal level and give them the opportunity to impact OSU through their gifts. It has had great success the past three years, with about 200 callers helping to raise pledges and gifts of more than $1.6 million.

All of the honored callers expressed their appreciation to the alumni, noting every gift helps the students, faculty and staff of OSU.

The Oklahoma State University Foundation serves as the private fundraising organization for OSU, as designated by the OSU Regents. Its mission is to unite donor and university passions and priorities to achieve excellence. For more information access the Foundation’s Web site at OSUgiving.com.

Oklahoma’s only university with a statewide presence, Oklahoma State University is a five-campus, public land-grant educational system that improves the lives of people in Oklahoma, the nation, and the world through integrated, high-quality teaching, research and outreach.  OSU has more than 32,000 students across its system and nearly 21,000 on its Stillwater campus; with students from all 50 states and around 110 nations.  Established in 1890, OSU has graduated more than 200,000 students who have made a lasting impact on Oklahoma and the world. 

HIGH RES IMAGE LINKS
http://osugiving-hosting.com/osufguest/callers/Miller.jpg
http://osugiving-hosting.com/osufguest/callers/Moss.jpg
http://osugiving-hosting.com/osufguest/callers/Nulliner.jpg
http://osugiving-hosting.com/osufguest/callers/Weihs.jpg

Top of page ^