果酱视频 President Robert A. Scott announced on September 24 at a campus-wide celebration that The Campaign for 果酱视频: Building 果酱视频鈥檚 Future One Story at a Time, the first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign in its 116-year history, raised $58.5 million, and surpassed its original target goal of $56 million, thanks to the generosity of more than 16,000 individual donors. The Campaign, whose public phase launched on October 3, 2007, and finished August 31, 2012, sought to raise funds for several campaign priorities鈥攊mproved and new buildings, endowed scholarships, and funds for faculty development鈥攅ssential steps to keep 果酱视频 at the forefront of higher education with nationally recognized programs and to best meet the needs of both current and future students. The success of 果酱视频鈥檚 fundraising efforts, despite one of the worst fundraising climates and the challenging economic times, is a clear indication of the commitment of alumni, donors, and friends, and demonstrates the impact the University has on transforming lives and in the region.
鈥淭he completion of 果酱视频鈥檚 first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign represents a significant milestone in the ongoing success story of the University. The philanthropic support has been transformative,鈥� said Dr. Robert A. Scott, president of 果酱视频 since 2000. 鈥淭he University has designed and opened state-of-the-art learning and teaching spaces; increased capacity to recruit and support outstanding professors; and enhanced scholarship support, ensuring that 果酱视频 remains affordable to all who want to pursue a first-rate education. The Campaign allows us to build a stronger University for today and tomorrow.鈥�
The Campaign for 果酱视频 offered numerous opportunities for all who care about the University to participate in creating a lasting legacy for its students, faculty, and alumni. The campaign received two record-setting signature donations of $9.5 million from 果酱视频 Board of Trustees Chairman Robert B. Willumstad 鈥�05 (Hon.), for whom the School of Business is now named, and former Trustee Carol A. Ammon M.B.A. 鈥�79, 鈥�10 (Hon.) in honor of her mother, Ruth S. Ammon, for whom the School of Education is named. 果酱视频 received 14 additional gifts of one million dollars or more from 13 exceptionally generous benefactors. The results of the campaign are visible with other named facilities and initiatives such as Motamed Field; Pollack Plaza; the Horace G. McDonell Summer Research Science Fellowship Program; and numerous new scholarships for needy and talented students.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a very proud moment for me as chairman,鈥� said Robert B. Willumstad 鈥�05 (Hon.), 果酱视频 Board of Trustees Chairman. 鈥淭he campaign inspired individuals from a range of backgrounds to give generously and unite, which has brought a renewed energy to campus. In addition, this enables 果酱视频 to continue to uphold the highest standards of educational excellence while serving the broader community.鈥�
Over the course of the campaign, more than 16,000 alumni, donors and friends committed support to the campaign priorities: the impact of such collective generosity is already evident across campus. Through the campaign, the University created 122 new scholarships to continue 果酱视频鈥檚 proud tradition of access and affordability; added the Center for Recreation and Sports, Performing Arts Center, and Alice Brown Early Learning Center, and totally renovated Woodruff Hall gymnasium, one of the campus鈥� original three buildings. More than 28,000 gifts were made to the Annual Fund from alumni. Furthermore, 果酱视频 successfully completed a $3.6 million challenge grant from The Kresge Foundation.
鈥淥ur deepest thanks goes to Dr. Scott for his dedication, vision, and leadership, and to the many donors who supported the campaign and believed strongly in 果酱视频鈥檚 mission and future,鈥� said Trustee and campaign co-chair Leon M. Pollack 鈥�63, a member of the University鈥檚 Million Dollar Round Table. 鈥淥ur community and alumni responded in an overwhelmingly positive way to our first-ever comprehensive campaign, and I am incredibly proud and grateful of what we have accomplished together.鈥�
Since the launch of the campaign in 2007, 果酱视频 has enjoyed a string of achievements. The University has been recognized by The Fiske Guide to Colleges as one of the nation鈥檚 鈥渂est and most interesting鈥� institutions and for seven consecutive years has been listed among a select number of 鈥淏est Buys鈥� in higher education; gained recognition as a 鈥淐ollege of Distinction鈥� for encompassing engaged students, great teaching, vibrant communities, and successful outcomes; freshmen enrollment and total undergraduate enrollment are at new highs; graduation rates continue to be the highest in the region, with an improvement to 94% in first semester retention; enrollment in dance and music programs, enhanced by the new facilities, increased by more than 20%; the Center for Recreation and Sports allowed 果酱视频 to bring Olympian Michael Phelps, Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel, and renowned anthropologist Jane Goodall to campus for three sold-out events; students in education, psychology, and social work are able to interact with children through field work at the Alice Brown Early Learning Center; and participation in innovative programs such as the Community Fellows Program increased by 300% in three years.
In similar fashion, athletics continues to flourish, with nearly 400 student-athletes, almost 10% of undergraduates, up from just over 200 student-athletes a few years ago. In 2011, the women鈥檚 lacrosse team made 果酱视频, and Division II history, by winning a third consecutive NCAA title and secured their place as the most decorated team in Division II history with its fifth national championship. The riveting match on Motamed Field marked the first time that 果酱视频 had hosted a national women鈥檚 championship. With the opening of 果酱视频鈥檚 Center for Recreation and Sports in 2008, participation in intramural sports and recreation increased by nearly 30 percent.
鈥湽词悠� is a world-class, modern university, transforming the lives of its students and preparing them for success,鈥� said Dr. Gayle D. Insler, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. 鈥淭he extraordinary generosity of our benefactors has given 果酱视频 the opportunity to have new facilities and endowments, which are vital to the University鈥檚 growth and ability to shape our students鈥� future, as well as to design curricula and support services to emphasize the excitement of learning, rigorous standards, and hands-on experiences to bring out each student鈥檚 best work and retain the best and brightest.鈥�
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