When student callers hit the phones this spring for the annual Kansas Wesleyan University Coyote Call Phonathon, little did they know they were working at a record pace. $77,899 to be exact.

“T2 Wireless donated 10 mobile phones for our use this year allowing us to hire more students than ever before.  Thanks to them, other businesses donating prizes, our students and our supporters we had a record setting year,”  said Doug Burgardt, Director of Development.

Thirty-seven students worked 344 hours and garnered 664 phone pledges during the March 13-April 5, 2011, Phonathon, Burgardt said. Sariet Bennett, Strasburg, Colorado, was the top caller with 61 pledges and $7,090.

Burgardt said that the average phone pledge rose more than 20 percent higher than in any previous year.

“Our alumni and friends really responded to our students requesting them to make a special gift in recognition of our 125th year.  In fact, more than 100 of the pledges were for exactly $125,” he said.