The University’s annual giving campaign, UNM Gives, kicked-off this past fall with a promise. The department on north and main campus that increases participation in the campaign will receive a pizza party. And today UNM leadership delivered on that promise.

Interim President Chaouki Abdallah, Chancellor for Health Sciences Paul Roth and surprise guest Incoming President Garnett Stokes, wanted to honor the employees in the winning departments by delivering these pizzas personally—complete with genuine gratitude and Saggios Pizza hats. The pizza parlor generously donated the pies for the event.

The deliveries were back-to-back at two different locations. First the team surprised the Physical Plant Department. This main campus group received the lunch in honor of 54 percent of their employees supporting the campaign. As a board member of the United Way of Central New Mexico, Abdallah was especially grateful for their participation as well as the commitment of employees across the University.

“Thank you to everyone who generously made a pledge to the United Way or the UNM Foundation, during the UNM Gives campaign,” said Abdallah. “I am so proud that UNM faculty and staff raised over $725,000 to give back to our community, in spite of challenging fiscal times.”

He pointed out, “This generosity will help improve lives and strengthen New Mexican communities, including right here at UNM. It is so important to give back—if each of us can give just a small amount, we can collectively make an enormous difference in our community.”

The second delivery took place on north campus at the Domenici Center. The Department of Pathology was honored for raising over $24,820 for the community through the campaign. Dr. Roth praised his medical colleagues for their deep commitment to our state.

“The top priority for all of us at the UNM Health Sciences Center is to improve the health and well-being of our fellow New Mexicans,” said Roth. “Our community partners provide much-needed services for those in need that support this vital mission, so I am humbled and grateful for the increase this year over last year in the contributions our staff have made to a worthy cause like the United Way. It’s one more avenue of service to our community.”

As an institution that values community spirit and a commitment to helping those in need, UNM’s partnership with the United Way of Central New Mexico and the UNM Foundation is a source of organizational unity and pride. Through the annual UNM Gives campaign, faculty, staff and employees contribute time and money to charitable organizations in an effort to change lives and circumstances.