KU Giving Magazine
Jayhawk Faithful
KU Endowment is honored to celebrate Jayhawk Faithful — the most loyal and steadfast supporters of the University of Kansas.


This recognition program celebrates dedicated donors who make a gift in support of any area at KU for two or more consecutive years — no matter the amount. Wherever you are, whatever you dream, you can make a difference by supporting the university programs and initiatives that inspire you. Through consistent support, KU and The University of Kansas Health System are able to make discoveries that change the world and transform dreams into reality.
From locations around the world, Jayhawk Faithful makes possible opportunities for research and innovation, cultural experiences, real-world learning and community outreach. From students discovering a new species to faculty producing award-winning creative works to physician-scientists developing a cure, the impact is far-reaching, life-changing and will have a lasting legacy on future generations of Jayhawks.
Wherever you are
The Jayhawk Faithful global community
5
K+
Jayhawk Faithful
donors
20
Jayhawk Faithful
states
0
Jayhawk Faithful countries
“I lived in Sellards Scholarship Hall my junior and senior years at KU. Fellow residents became dear friends. I received scholarship funding while living there and still remember writing personal thank you notes to donors. My small, annual donation is a way of giving back and saying thank you to those who supported me.”
Roberta Cavittbachelor’s in education 1986, master’s in Latin American studies 1991
Burke, Virginia
Burke, Virginia
“One cannot repay KU for the education one received. How can I repay an institution that has helped me throughout my years there, like meeting me at the airport on my first day to the school?”
Deonarine D.J. Jaggernauth bachelor’s in petroleum engineering 1978, master’s in petroleum engineering 1979
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago
“Our Jayhawk pride runs deep. We give back to different schools to allow the next generation to experience not only a great education but the lifelong love that comes with being a Jayhawk.”
James B. Goodmiller bachelor’s in journalism 1991
Saint Charles, Illinois
Saint Charles, Illinois
"I donate because my decision to attend KU all those many years ago was one of the BEST decisions I ever made, and I am grateful KU was there for me. I want the university to be strong and to be there for other students in the years to come.”
Paula Haasbachelor’s in journalism 1976
Hopkinton, Massachusetts
Hopkinton, Massachusetts
“My reason for contributing has to do with the four years my son spent in Lawrence and the way those four years shaped him and allowed him to grow.”
Christopher HarveyJayhawk parent
Braintree, Massachusetts
Braintree, Massachusetts
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Whatever you dream
The Jayhawk Faithful impact
3000
Donors support 850+ awards and scholarships
1000
Donors advance medical programs and health care
100
Donors enhance research and discovery
“The faculty and fellow students were amazing. I walked around campus some days almost pinching myself to wake up. KU prepared me to be a lifetime learner with fundamental skills for successfully moving into other workplaces. My career success is grounded in KU discipline and rigorous classroom demands.”
James L. Foxbachelor’s in language arts 1963, MPA 1985
Lee’s Summit, Missouri
Lee’s Summit, Missouri
“There’s only one Jayhawk in the world. From the first day I stepped on campus, I embraced that unifying sentiment and let it kick start the next chapter of my life. Embrace the community, embrace the tradition and seize the unique opportunity that is being one of a kind — a Jayhawk.”
Chad Paul CushingKU sophomore majoring in journalism
San Luis Obispo, California
San Luis Obispo, California
“I will be matching into a Family Medicine residency, and I hope to work as a primary care provider in Kansas. My goals are to develop strong relationships with my patients to build trust, practice and educate them on preventative medicine, and be a resource to the Spanish speaking populations that need me.”
Michael J. Zuniga, M.D.M.D. 2023
Salina, Kansas
Salina, Kansas
“Grateful to all for facilitating my passion, I have become a donor to the university and to the museum for the last several years and hopefully for years to come.”
Thomas J. Grant, Ph.D., PEKU Research Affiliate
Fairway, Kansas
Fairway, Kansas
“My goals have changed over the few years especially throughout my leadership experience in Student Union Activities, but my overall goal in life is to work with students to help create the best educational opportunities and experiences for them.”
Mikayla L. Leaderbachelor’s in mathematics 2023
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita, Kansas
“It was an amazing experience as I got to cheer for my Jayhawks. I have been singing the Kansas song now for 50 years … that sounds like a lifetime. And it is.”
Melody Boyd Balentine1975 alumna
Raymore, Missouri
Raymore, Missouri
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Make a Gift
Wherever you are, your gift makes dreams possible. Continue your special donor recognition and Jayhawk Faithful status by giving every fiscal year (July 1-June 30).
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Jayhawk Faithful FAQ
Jayhawk Faithful is a recognition program that celebrates and stewards donors who support the University of Kansas or The University of Kansas Health System — no matter the size of the gift — for two consecutive fiscal years or more. We are grateful for Jayhawk Faithful donors whose collective and ongoing generosity profoundly impacts the KU learning community — advancing KU, The University of Kansas Health System and society.
Support the University of Kansas or The University of Kansas Health System with a gift of any amount at least once during the fiscal year (July 1-June 30) and continue to give consecutively.
No. Gifts of any amount are celebrated by this program as long as at least one gift is sent in per fiscal year (July 1-June 30).
Gifts can be made to any area of the University of Kansas or The University of Kansas Health System.
No. Jayhawk Faithful celebrates all consecutive-giving donors — alumni, staff, faculty, parents, students and friends of KU.
All Jayhawk Faithful donors receive an annual donor appreciation mail piece and Jayhawk Faithful window decal. In addition, donors achieving a milestone consecutive-giving year (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50) also receive an exclusive KU promotional piece, such as a Jayhawk lapel pin or a KU collector’s coin.
Jayhawk Faithful giving is based on household giving, combining gifts made by donors within a household. The donors can be alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff or friends of KU.
Our electronic records extend back to 1978. We understand that your giving may extend past 1978. For specific inquiries into your giving history, please reach out to Jordan Lisher (jlisher@kuendowment.org or 785-832-7379).
Yes. Jayhawk Faithful is meant to recognize and inspire sustained, consecutive giving and celebrates on a fiscal-year basis, July 1-June 30.
While we do believe every gift makes a difference at KU, at least one gift per fiscal year (July 1-June 30) must be made in order to maintain Jayhawk Faithful donor recognition.
Because our goal is to celebrate and inspire sustained consecutive giving, we do not offer a “buy back system” for years in which donors did not give to the university. If you have questions about your number of Jayhawk Faithful years, please contact Jordan Lisher (jlisher@kuendowment.org or 785-832-7379).
Yes. You can be in multiple donor societies at the same time.
Gifts and pledge payments, not pledges, count toward Jayhawk Faithful giving.
Yes. Jayhawk Faithful recognition is continued by making a gift of any amount each fiscal year (July 1-June 30).
Jayhawk Faithful donor stewardship mailings are sent out twice per fiscal year. Depending on the date of your first gift of the fiscal year, you will receive your mailing in either the spring or late summer.
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Support your passion by making a gift that impacts the lives of students, faculty, patients, and researchers for generations to come. On their behalf, we thank you for your generosity.