Exceeding its largest campaign goal ever -- $790,000 -- Cornell staff members and students presented a check for $792,637 to James Brown, president of the United Way of Tompkins County (UTWC), and UWTC Campaign co-chairs during halftime at the men's basketball game Feb. 12.

After thanking the Cornell community, Brown said, "United Way and its partners work every day to make life better for people in Tompkins County and the Finger Lakes region. Much of this work would not be possible without the support of Cornell retirees, faculty, students and staff."

Earlier in the day, the women's ice hockey team partnered with United Way once again to raise money. Two anonymous donors from the Ithaca community pledged $1.11 for every attendee at the game, and more than 1,200 people attended. A similar attendance pledge challenge occurred at a women's hockey game in December when a record crowd of more than 2,300 showed up.

"Despite the challenging economic times, the Cornell community responded with tremendous support to this year's campaign challenge," said Paul Streeter, co-chair of the Cornell United Way Campaign. "It is wonderful that we reached our campus campaign goal, but our work isn't over until the countywide campaign reaches its goal of $2,111,111 by March 31. I hope that folks who may not yet have contributed to United Way will consider doing so in the next few weeks." Streeter noted that since Cornell community members' giving constitutes almost 40 percent of the UWTC goal, many local agencies, organizations and people in need are directly benefited by their generosity.

More than $32,000, or 4 percent of the Cornell campaign, came from the efforts of Cornell students through efforts such as the Stuff the Bus Campaign, annual A Cappella United concert at Homecoming, annual Duff Ball hosted by senior students each May, and a new gala this past fall sponsored by the Mortar Board Society. At the halftime event, Brown said, "Their year-round efforts have raised the bar for campus engagement. Nate Houghton '11, human ecology, and many other students are doing some remarkable work."

Dean of Faculty Bill Fry, Cornell campaign co-chair, noted that the enthusiasm and visibility of the student campaign is "inspirational." "It sets a great standard for the rest of us," he said.

As for the games: Cornell's women's ice hockey has clinched the ECAC Hockey regular season championship and the top seed in the upcoming ECAC Hockey tournament. They won against Yale, 7-1. Men's basketball lost to Princeton in the final seconds of the game, 55-57.

Pledge cards, which allow for payroll deduction and for contributions to be designated to specific organizations, are available at http://unitedway.cornell.edu/.