For the first time in its history the Cornell United Way Campaign not only exceeded its goal of $660,000, but surpassed the $700,000 mark in pledges. Pledges to date as of March 1 had reached $709,252.52 with a Cornell community participation rate of 16.6 percent. The 2006 campaign officially closes March 31.

During a celebratory luncheon Monday in the Duffield Hall atrium, President David Skorton congratulated those present as well as the entire Cornell community for pitching in.

Cornell's contribution accounts for 40 percent of the Tompkins County United Way Campaign, which is currently $28,000 shy of its $1.9 million goal.

"A couple of corporations that have contributed regularly in the past have not been in a position to do so this year," said Charles Walcott, Cornell dean of faculty and chair of the county campaign. "We're moving ever slowly toward the goal, and hopefully we'll make it."

For that reason Cornell campaign chairman Stephen Golding, executive vice president for finance and administration, said there is still an opportunity to make a contribution and urged those who can pledge to do so. He also thanked Sarah Thomas, former Carl A. Kroch University Librarian for her "quiet leadership and dedication" in launching the Cornell campaign. Thomas, the former 2006 campaign chair, is now at the University of Oxford. Golding also announced that Joanne DeStefano, vice president for financial affairs and university controller, will serve as campaign vice chair for the 2007 campaign.

In his comments Golding underscored his gratitude to committee members, division heads and all Cornellians for their generosity. However, he said that working on "increased participation rates across the Cornell community" will be a key focus for next year's campaign.

Speakers included Patrick McKee, president of Challenge Industries, who discussed his agency's longstanding relationship with Cornell. In 2005 the university licensed operation of its hydroponics greenhouse -- which produces herbs and 6,000 heads of lettuce weekly -- to Challenge Industries, providing jobs for more than a dozen workers with disabilities that present a handicap to employment. The lettuce is available under the Finger Lakes Fresh brand, a division of Challenge Industries, and, McKee said, with technical support from Cornell, Challenge is working on a new process for producing spinach.

Steve Myer, division deputy chair for the campaign, presented honorary plaques to three Cornell units that posted the largest percentage year-to-year increase in participation, based on staff, during the latest campaign. They are: Government and Community Relations; the Office of Research; and the College of Arts and Sciences.

Also, 10 units that pledged participation rates at or above the target 20 percent received certificates of appreciation. These divisions and units are: School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions; Government and Community Relations; Division of Financial Affairs; Office of Human Resources; University Communications; the Graduate School; Cornell Library; Alumni Affairs and Development; the College of Human Ecology; and the Office of the Senior Vice Provost for Research.