Chris Busch knows his work helps to support the university – both his paid work as research accounting manager in the finance department and his volunteer work as a canvasser for the Annual Giving Program.

“As a donor, my support helps to sustain the university and helps students to achieve their full potential,” he said Tuesday at a luncheon kickoff for the UWindsor fundraising campaign.

Team leaders and canvassers also heard from UWindsor President Alan Wildeman, campaign chair Bruce Tucker, student Neb Zachariah and vice-president university advancement Jonathan Braniff.

“How do you raise money? You ask for it,” Dr. Wildeman said, noting that in the past two years, the number of employees contributing has climbed by 200.

This year’s donations will grow more than the university’s endowments, student scholarship funds, and operating budgets, says development officer Mona Dosen. They will grow a new centrepiece for the campus grounds.

“For every member of faculty or staff who makes a pledge, a flower will be planted in a garden outside the Leddy Library,” she said. “The design is by our own facilities staff, John Regier and Garry Moore. It will be beautiful when it is filled with blooms.”