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by Sami Antaki
The Campaign for a New Millennium continues to flourish, with the satisfying news last week that the total of pledges has risen to $47,626,513 on the strength of a number of pledges, including a $250,000 gift from Abitibi-Consolidated.
"We have now gone over 86 per cent of the minimum Campaign goal," said Don Taddeo, Executive Vice-Chair of the Campaign. "This augurs well for the next six months, and we fully expect to build on the momentum being created right now by our many volunteers across the country."
One of the volunteers who has spoken eloquently about Concordia and his attachment to it is André Desmarais, president and co-CEO of Power Corporation of Canada. André Desmarais, a Concordia Commerce graduate, was recruited as an Honorary Patron to the Campaign and has brought a hands-on approach to the role.
While his efforts were largely behind the scenes during the early days of the Campaign, he negotiated a number of large donations. His personal commitment and attachment to his alma mater have been very much in evidence over the past two months.
In September, André Desmarais took an active role in the launch of the Alumni and Friends Division during Homecoming 98. He presided over the ceremonial face-off at the Molson Centre, and bid up a storm during the evening's highly successful auction.
He has also drafted letters to all Commerce and Administration graduates, urging them to participate in the Campaign. (These letters are part of the Campaign's phone-mail campaign and will be sent out in the new year.)
"André Desmarais is an exceptional asset to the Campaign," says Taddeo. "He is leading by example and setting the pace for other volunteers." And judging by the results to date, that pace may very well be a record-setting one.
