A&M chapter wins second straight Top University Award, Texas chapters lead nation with “Top 100” status
The DU Nation was watching as the 2005 Top University Chapter and Top 100 Chapters list was unveiled during the 1st Annual DU Volunteer Appreciation Day held on February 4th. Groups of volunteers gathered in 88 locations across the United States and waited as the winners were announced during live video feed festivities from DU’s national office.
Once again Texas was well represented. Once again Texas leads the nation.
For the second straight year the Texas A&M Chapter of Ducks Unlimited took home the Top University Award that is presented annually to the largest fundraising collegiate chapter in the country based on dollars raised for DU’s conservation mission. In 2004 and 2005 this group of college students have raised a total of over $68,000 for waterfowl and wetlands conservation.
“Incredible”, stated David Schuessler, DU’s Director of Fundraising and Volunteer Relations. “There are some states that don’t have a single chapter that raises as much money as these kids do. It’s a true testimonial to the Texas DU sprit and what can happen when concerned individuals, regardless of their age, want to make a difference for North American waterfowl.”
Texas also had 9 chapters make the coveted Top 100 list, an annual compilation of the 100 most profitable chapters in the nation. The “Texas 9” are as follows:
Houston - $107,303
Corpus Christi - $88,564
McKinney - $88,350
Dallas - $70,891
El Paso - $68,128
San Antonio - $56,407
Austin - $52,833
Galveston - $51,092
Texoma - $47,676
No state came close to matching Texas’ 9 on the Top 100 list both in number and total dollars raised.
Just as impressive could be the fact that there are over 160 Ducks Unlimited chapters across Texas that raise in excess of $3 million annually for the conservation of waterfowl habitat on the breeding grounds and here in the Lone Star state.