The Wow Factor
The success of the just-ended Leadership Campaign is a great story in and of itself. All the donors who opened their hearts and wallets. All the dollars raised. But how this money helps real people?

Now, that's a truly inspiring account.

Photos by Derek Dudek, Jared Leeds, and Jerry Siegel. Text By Karen Feldscher.

I have a confession to make. One night in January, the phone rang at my house. When I checked the caller ID, my spirits fell.

It was my alma mater, back in Ohio. I knew what they wanted.

You've gotten those calls, too—from Northeastern. You've heard the buoyant voice on the other end of the line talking about the progress the university has made, thanking you for your past gift, asking if you can give again. And you've thought, Should I say I have something burning in the oven?

For me, however, that night was different. Because I suddenly remembered what I'd been hearing at work about Northeastern—about the large and small victories that have been won with Leadership Campaign donations.

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