Student calling

Imperial students have been contacting alumni as part of the College's spring telethon campaign

Over 40 Imperial students have been busy contacting alumni as part of the College's Centenary spring telethon. A fantastic £87,000 was pledged during the eight week campaign which this year raises money for three priority projects through the College's Annual Fund.

Calling began at the end of January when students from a variety of departments and year groups reached for their headsets and assumed their position as College ambassadors. Amna Shaddad, a first year mathematics student, has thoroughly enjoyed the calling experience. She comments: "It's a good job to have as it's easy to fit into your studies. I've found it to be an interesting experience, and raising money for these good causes is very fulfilling."

The College's first telethon took place in February 2003 and since then students have spoken to thousands of alumni in the UK and mainland Europe to discuss Imperial's current position, share experiences and memories and to ask them to consider making a donation towards the College's future.

Alumni can choose to give to one of the College's three priority projects, the Student Opportunities Fund, the Beit Quad Building Fund or the Library Fund, or, to grant an unrestricted donation, enabling the monies to support the area of greatest need. Student caller Unmesh Bandyopadhyay, currently in the first year of his medicine degree, is proud to be raising money for such a worthwhile cause. He says: "I feel very lucky to be involved in this campaign and I'm privileged to be a part of the team. It's good to know that what we are doing will impact on the experience of future students at Imperial."

The telethon is a wonderful opportunity for Imperial to engage more directly with its alumni and the purpose of the campaign is as much about developing and maintaining relationships as it is asking for gifts. Mathematics and Management student Warun Chadha has participated in the last three telethons. He says: "I really enjoy finding out more about the alumni, their different views, where they have been and how their degree has helped them along the way. I spoke to someone the other day who was Head of Corporate Finance. To talk to people like this is very encouraging and there is definitely an inspirational factor."

Imperial alumnus David Hindle (MSc Geology 1989) is one of the many former students who have contributed through the telethon, directing his donations to the Student Opportunities Fund. He commented: "As alumni, our support is vital and has the capacity to change lives. Gifts to the Student Opportunities Fund make an immediate impact on talented students who might not otherwise come to Imperial."

As another telethon draws to a close the Office of Alumni and Development is already looking forward to its next campaign. Chemical engineering undergraduate, Cheryl Lim, hopes to be able to be involved in the campaign again: "Talking to alumni is such a positive practice. Each has a different story to tell and it has left me feeling very enthusiastic about the four years I have to come here at Imperial. It just goes to show that Imperial is what it is because of its students."