SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION, INC.
ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT JULY 1, 2021—JUNE 30, 2022
Dear Viking Community, In this report, we are pleased to share annual fund updates from this past fiscal year. We raised $8,044,802–$5,553,740 of which was for the annual fund—resulting in Salem State’s second highest fundraising year in its history. From a recordbreaking 5th anniversary of Viking Warrior Day to establishing a
“
I hope the enclosed information illustrates the transformative and immediate impact of your philanthropy. Thank you for helping each student persist to the finish line, and for turning challenges into opportunities. With gratitude,
5TH ANNIVERSARY
VIKING
WARRIOR DAY
MAY 4, 2022
national network for digital ethnic studies through a grant from the Mellon Foundation to instituting a Bertolon School of Business internship program that helps students overcome financial barriers, our donors provide the resources to make an affordable, high-quality education possible for so many.
THANK YOU FOR HELPING VIKINGS RISE
#
Gifts
327 462
Classes Represented
59
Donors
VIKING PARTICIPATION Cheryl W. Crounse Vice President, Advancement Executive Director, Salem State University Foundation, Inc.
“Students directly benefit from your unrestricted support of programming like the Series and Viking Warrior Day. From internships to endowed scholarships, student emergency grants, and funding for athletics teams, students can build their futures because of you.” —Brahiam Ortega ’22
%
Alumni Faculty/Staff Friends Parents Students
35% 17% 29% 12% 7%
TOP CAMPUS FUNDS IMPACTED
$
• Unrestricted Annual Fund • Athletics • Student Emergency Fund • Senior Class Gift Fund
sport fitness and leisure major, student speaker at the 2022 Salem State Series (pictured on back)
TOTAL RAISED: $514,978
THE POWER OF PHILANTHROPY
ANNUAL FUND DONATIONS
Giving between July 1, 2021–June 30, 2022
$5,553,740
TOTAL DOLLARS RAISED
MOST COMMON GIFT SIZE
$8,044,802 from 2,198 donors
$50
MOST COMMON CURRENT-USE FUNDS SUPPORTED • Unrestricted—Areas of Greatest Need • Student Emergency Fund • Athletics • Nursing
NUMBER OF FIRST TIME DONORS: 712
• Scholarships
Celebrating Black Excellence Scan the QR code to view the digital collection. Over her decadeslong career,
Dr. Carmen Fields ‘92H acquired a
sizable collection of books written by Black authors, gifts from those she interviewed or Dr. Carmen Fields ‘92H crossed paths with as an award-winning Boston-area TV host, journalist and writer. “Those are the ones that are most important to me,” she said during a ceremony honoring her significant contribution to Salem State’s Frederick E.
INTERNSHIP SCHOLARSHIPS Students received internship awards made possible through donor funds, a large portion of which are from annual fund gifts. Supporting internships at Salem State enables more students to take advantage of real-world experience, granting them invaluable opportunities, connections and guidance as they head into the professional world.
“
Berry Library and Learning Commons, a collection that included several signed, first editions of work by authors such as Maya Angelou, Alice Walker, Muhammad Ali, and Colin Powell. “Libraries and publishing companies have a history of systemically prioritizing white works by white male writers,” said Elizabeth McKeigue, dean of the Berry Library. “And we thank Carmen for the gift of her books which supports our priority to increase access to Black voices.” Dean McKeigue emphasized that Fields’ collection is an impactful step
“ ” "Consistent support from donors has a transformative impact on student success and the work we do at Salem State. This support has a lasting ripple effect in our community by strengthening the region in which our graduates live and work."
—President John D. Keenan
towards making the library a more welcoming, inclusive space for all. “We display collections that speak to diverse communities on our campus, which encourages students to utilize the library and to ask our librarians for help. Studies show students who make regular use of libraries are more likely to get better grades and persist in college.”
“The increased emphasis on addressing equity-related issues is a moment that’s long overdue,” said Salem State Foundation and Alumni of Color Collective board member Virginia Lyons ’16 as she addressed the crowd during the showcase of Black excellence. The impact of Fields’ gift will be felt for generations as the university and Salem State Foundation continues to prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion across campus and throughout all our work.
INTERNSHIP STATS: AWARDS BY MAJOR Biology Business Computer Science Criminal Justice Education Geography Geological Science History Healthcare Studies
“Normally, I would work forty-hour weeks at my paid job in the summer. This stipend has given me the opportunity to gain experience in a historical workplace that I would not have been able to participate in without the stipend.” —Charlotte McDonald ’23, history major, internship award recipient
“If it wasn’t for my advisors, family and donors, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” —Anthony Flores ’22, business major, internship award recipient
7 19 1 13 10 2 2 9 14
Media and Communications 12 Occupational Therapy 5 Social Work 31 Psychology 5 Nursing 21 Political Science 3 Sociology 1 Sport and Movement Science 1 World Languages and Cultures 2
“During my sophomore through senior years at Salem State, I was fortunate to have an internship that launched my career. Through that internship, I not only gained experience and important skills—I also built confidence and self-esteem, which allowed me to immediately compete with others from more prestigious schools.” –Elliot Katzman ’78, donor
Double Viking and Lifelong Learner Sails Back to Salem State
David Pelletier ’73, ’17
before making the transition to the private sector, and eventually retiring from the semiconductor industry in 2013.
Born and bred in Salem, David Pelletier ’73, ’17 has been on the water all his life. Back in the 1970s when he was a Salem State undergraduate studying political science, he worked in a Marblehead boatyard while making his way through school.
After finishing his bachelor’s degree in 1973, his career led him to work for the City of Malden and the Commonwealth
Forty years after receiving his first Salem State degree, Pelletier enrolled in the biology program at his alma mater, determined to learn more about marine biology and attribute his newfound knowledge to his passion for the ocean. “Most of the students in my program were from working, middle-class families, with the vast majority first-generation college students. They were bright, hardworking students, and a lot of them were going to school full-time and working one or two jobs to make it through college. That impressed me.” Pelletier was also impressed by the faculty, boasting their accessibility and collaboration. “It’s a teaching university, so the faculty would get students involved in their own research. Every student was on a first name basis—it was wonderful.” Pelletier has been a loyal donor to the university, seeing firsthand the need for
Scan the QR code to learn more about Salem State athletics.
If anything seemed certain heading into the 2022 season, it was to expect the unexpected. Challenges presented by the pandemic impacted athletics programming around the globe, with Salem State being no exception. But this season, things started looking up again. Since taking over as head coach of the softball team, Isabella Russo rallied Vikings into the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference playoff tournament. “They went from being a forgotten team to pushing the best team in the conference to their best game, and beating them,” said Nicolle Wood ’95, director of athletics. “The ability to change that team culture and build a sense of community among the athletes was possible because of donor support.”
Today, Pelletier puts his biology degree to good use as a volunteer for the Salem Sound Coastwatch. He uses his powerboat to conduct water sampling and is monitoring eelgrass habitats in collaboration with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and Coastal Zone Management. “If you had the chance to get a good education, you should pay it forward. All these students who are working hard to further their education deserve our support.”
“” “The biology department is extremely grateful to our generous alumni, like David, who donate funds to enhance the education of all our students— from student-centered equipment and needs to assisting students with conference and research expenses.”
—Ryan Fisher, professor and former chair of the biology department
Salem State’s softball team
Building a Legacy
supplies and additional resources in the biology department. “Sometimes there wasn’t enough glassware for everyone, so the $30 million dollar commitment from the Commonwealth to SSU BOLD, which will enhance labs and facilities, will make a real difference.”
Tasked with fundraising for their annual spring training trip to Florida, the softball team found success with their crowdfunding initiative, raising close to $4,000. “Traveling together and learning to trust one another, that’s a real bonding experience,” said Russo. “These team trips simply don’t get enough credit.” “This season, as a new team with a new coach, we had a lot of challenges to overcome. Living together for a week in Florida allowed us to create team chemistry. We bonded and became more than friends; we became a family,” said Dawn Eisnor ’25. Spring training trips are also a pivotal factor in the decision-making process for prospective college recruits. “These donor-funded trips are vital to the
growth of the program and enhances our visibility on a national scale. The more awareness we bring to our program increases the amount of possible recruits,” said Payton Jeffers ’24. From funding trips to buying new equipment and uniforms to improving the field, Russo is grateful for the support from alumni and friends and encourages the Viking community to stay engaged.
“We’re building a legacy. Come on in if you want your name on it.” —Coach Isabella Russo
Advancement 352 Lafayette Street Salem, Massachusetts 01970-5353
ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT JULY 1, 2021—JUNE 30, 2022
salemstate.edu/impact • annualgiving@salemstate.edu
Brahiam Ortega ’22 welcomes David “Big Papi” Ortiz to the Twohig stage as part of the 40th anniversary celebration of the Salem State Series and 5th annual Viking Warrior Day.
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
PA I D
PERMIT NO. 130 SALEM, MA