In 2005, Carnegie Mellon created The Highlands Circle, a recognition society for donors who contribute $1 million or more to the university over the course of their lifetimes or through their estates.  Membership in this most prestigious society includes more than 200 individuals, families, corporations and foundations.

Membership Honors and Opportunities

• Induction Ceremony
  Individuals who accept membership into The Highlands Circle are presented with an opportunity to be inducted into the society at the first available opportunity. During the induction, new members are formally welcomed by the university president. Each member will receive a society lapel pin.

• The Highlands Circle Book
  The second edition of The Highlands Circle book is slated for 2013. Included in the book will be portraits of new and current members, along with their stories of philanthropy at Carnegie Mellon. As new members become eligible in years between publications, they will be featured in subsequent editions. Members of The Highlands Circle will continue to receive future editions of the book.

• Presidential Invitation and Welcome Packet
  Eligible candidates who have confirmed that they wish to participate in the lifetime cumulative giving program will receive a letter of acknowledgement from the university president in a welcome packet that includes donor recognition articles such as stationery, commemorative jewelry and other society-specific items.

• Member Privacy
  To ensure privacy, eligible candidates may specify degrees of anonymity and participation in the lifetime cumulative giving program. Each presidential invitation includes a privacy protection form enabling candidates to choose how they wish to be recognized and participate, or to opt out of the program entirely.

• Membership Announcements
  Membership lists and announcements may be included in select publications and university websites, as well as displayed in suitable venues.

• Special Events and VIP Access
  Lifetime cumulative giving society members are honored at special recognition events. Also, on occasion, Carnegie Mellon is granted access to special events such as theater productions, private tours and book signings. When these opportunities arise, members of the lifetime cumulative giving societies are given first consideration.

• Priority Communication
  Members of Carnegie Mellon’s cumulative lifetime giving societies are privy to special communication from the president and the university at large.

For more information, please contact Paige Eubanks-Barrow, associate director of donor relations, at (412) 268-2576 or peubanks@andrew.cmu.edu.