More than 1,300 members of Vanderbilt’s faculty and staff contributed $1.1 million to reach the 2014 Faculty–Staff Campaign goal.
The gifts supported a wide range of areas across the university to bolster research, education and patient care. The campaign was led by husband-and-wife co-chairs Trey Beasley, BA’88, and Vanessa Beasley, BA’88. Trey serves as assistant vice chancellor for treasury, while Vanessa is associate professor of communication studies and director of the interdisciplinary program in American studies.
“Giving back is another way for us all to be fully engaged in the mission of the university,” says Trey. “It’s a way for us to invest personally in the teaching, research and service that make Vanderbilt such a distinct university atmosphere in which to work.”
“We give back financially to say thank you—for the peace of mind that comes with having our child receive care at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, as well as the incredible community of faculty, staff, students and friends here,” Vanessa says.
The Beasleys have a personal connection to Children’s Hospital because of their younger son’s rare medical condition. His health concerns brought them back to the Vanderbilt campus in 2007, 19 years after they both graduated from the university.
The Faculty–Staff Campaign is an annual effort that encourages gifts to any area of Vanderbilt. Each gift, no matter the size, allows the university to meet emerging needs and opportunities.