Several members of the Cornell community are playing key roles in the 1997 United Way campaign on and off campus this fall. Their efforts, which started a few months ago, are aimed at raising $1.46 million -- with more than a third of that coming from Cornell employees, retirees and students.

Janiece Bacon Oblak, assistant dean of admissions and financial aid, is chairing the United Way campaign on campus. Vice chair of the campus campaign is Susan H. Murphy, vice president for student and academic services.

John L. Ford, dean of students and a member of the board of directors of United Way of Tompkins County, is the general campaign chair for the countywide campaign. And Henrik N. Dullea, vice president for university relations, is vice chair of the county United Way board.

The campus campaign cabinet comprises a cross-section of Cornell employees and students. It includes: Patty Ard, executive staff assistant for Student and Academic Services; Donna Green, administrative assistant for Research and Development Services at the College of Veterinary Medicine; John McKeown, director of business operations for the Johnson Graduate School of Management; Kris Minor, assistant director of the Cornell Tradition; Judy Small, associate director of admissions; Chandra Nash, office manager in Biological Sciences; Scott Nash, research associate for Admissions and Financial Aid; Frederick A. Rogers, senior vice president and chief financial officer; Cathy Salino, manager of financial operations for the Office of the Controller; David Stewart, director of community relations; Steve Thane, programmer/analyst for University Career Services; and Rhonda Velazquez, assistant to the dean of the Johnson Graduate School of Management. Also serving on the campus campaign cabinet is Elizabeth Trapnell Rawlings. In addition, Eric Booth, a senior in the College of Architecture, Art and Planning, is a campaign intern.

Oblak, who has been involved in the countywide and campus campaigns for many years, said the United Way concept -- one organized way to raise money to support more than 100 local programs -- is an effective way to meet critical needs in the community.

"Last year, we raised nearly $475,000 on campus to support programs that encourage health and wellness, build knowledge and skills, promote self-sufficiency and help those in need throughout Tompkins County," Oblak said. "Among the thousands of our neighbors and friends who benefited last year from the services of agencies and community councils supported by United Way, more than 1,500 of them were Cornell faculty, staff and students."

Oblak added that the campus and communitywide campaigns offer faculty, staff and students the opportunity to support more than 100 programs that support people in need.

"When the campaign is kicked off in mid-September, we'll be doing so in a very unique way -- a Day of Caring that shines the spotlight on agencies and volunteers," Oblak explained. "Over the next few weeks, we'll also provide information about some changes that have been made in how money is raised and put to use and how to make a donation that makes a difference."