By Shirley Wilson
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

As the university approaches an important milestone in the fall of 2004-its 30th birthday-initiatives are already underway to expand the university's presence in the community.

The President's Community Partners for Advancement is a group of seven community leaders who assist the university with developing and growing its resources through community partnerships.

Dion McInnis, associate vice president in the Office of University Advancement, is managing the initiative. William A. Staples, university president, and McInnis work closely with the members to promote the university's mission and goals by connecting with interested individuals, corporations and foundations.

"Academic excellence, student development and community outreach are things that every university says they can do, but where UHCL differs is that we are talking about matching those words with the passion for doing it," McInnis said. "And, when you connect the passion with the words, then you have a much better project. Within those three frames of work, we have needs-people, programs and facilities. The initial program goals are not what we have to raise annually, but are tipping-point goals."

Each program has set financial goals to meet its needs. Beyond this goal, or tipping point, the program or service matures to a new level at the university. McInnis describes the tipping point as the level needed before a program can achieve its own momentum and, thereby, enhance its development.

"When I sat down with the people at the university, I said 'tell me what the needs are that keep you up at night,'" McInnis said. "ŚNeeds so pervasive in your daily routine that if you take care of those needs, you can sleep better. Then, once you've taken care of those financial needs, you can start dreaming. And, by no coincidence, we'll be starting on some of those dreams by our 30th birthday.'"

With an accredited program status, an established alumni association and the new building, the university is now in a position to build on its reputation and credibility in the community, McInnis said.

By connecting the overlapping needs of the university with those of the community, donors and prospects are identified by the members. The members offer individual talents and contribute where they feel most comfortable whether it is identifying or opening doors to prospects, or helping with the closing.

The seven team members include Bill Chen, president, Coldwell Banker-Pennington Chen; Dick Gregg Jr., president, Gregg & Gregg PC; and five UH-Clear Lake Distinguished Alumni, Sandy Johnson, president, Barrios Technology Inc.; Dawn Korman, attorney; Steve Phelps, commissioner, Port of Houston Authority; Micheal Reeves, senior vice president, Critique, Inc.; and Kathy Tamer, vice president and chief information officer, United Space Alliance.

Reeves, whose mother struggled to send her three sons to college, helped establish the university's first matching endowment. Currently, he works with the scholarship program.

"I've always been a strong advocate of education and the need to give back to the community," Reeves said. "It's not just low-income people that need help; it could be anyone who wants to better themselves. It really comes down to the desire and the will. If we can provide the means to achieve, then everyone will succeed. Each individual is part of a greater whole in society."

When Betty Leibfried, a distinguished alumna and friend active in the arts and community, successfully battled cancer, Reeves helped create an arts endowment in her honor. Today, he also works with the speakers' program.

"Education is more than just learning," Reeves said. "There is cultural appreciation, companionship and communication with people of different backgrounds and heritages. I had many good speakers at my undergraduate college who helped broaden my appreciation of my place in society. The value of education is that it teaches you how to use your mind and skills and how to communicate with people."

The university's three-year goals are to increase endowment contributions by $5 million, garner the first $1 million individual donor, develop six university-company partnerships, increase the President's Cabinet to 130 members and promote membership in the President's Inner Circle.

Also, within three years, the university is seeking donors who will be recognized by having a facility named in their honor.

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