The largest fund-raising effort in the history of West Virginia University has brought in $791.4 million through Sept. 30, WVU Foundation officials announced Wednesday (Oct. 15), an increase of nearly $20 million during the past three months.
In September, the University and Foundation announced that A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University was being extended until December 2017 with a new goal of $1 billion after the original $750 million goal was topped. Through June 30, gifts totaled $772.6 million.
“Since announcing the campaign extension, the response from our alumni and friends has continued to be phenomenal, and our goal is to keep the momentum going,” said Cindi Roth, Foundation president and CEO. “We know there are many needs, and working in partnership with the University, we are committed to meeting those needs with the support of our loyal and generous donors.”
The contributions include endowed scholarships to enable students to attend class; financial support for new learning facilities; and gifts to enhance cutting-edge degree programs.
“Keeping a college education affordable is absolutely critical to our land-grant mission,” said WVU President Gordon Gee. “That’s just one reason this campaign is so important. So many of the contributions are going to students who might not be able to attend our University otherwise. In addition, we need to keep supporting our talented employees, advancing our research agenda, and improving our laboratories and classrooms. I have deep admiration and gratitude to our alumni and friends who continue to step up to answer the call.”
Fundraising is focusing on six University-wide campaign priority areas that align with the University’s 2020 Strategic Plan for the Future:
- Enhance the undergraduate student experience and global education.
- Advance the research initiative of the University.
- Enable WVU to improve West Virginia’s health, economy and quality of life.
- Foster faculty excellence.
- Enhance WVU through professional and graduate education.
- Support healthcare through research, education and patient care.
Major gifts over the past three months include a generous donation from alumni David and Jo Ann Goldbaugh Shaw to the School of Medicine to help support a $5 million expansion of the West Virginia STEPS (Simulation Training and Education for Patient Safety) Center a $1.25 million gift to Athletics from alumni J. Wayne and Kathy Richards for the Milan Puskar Stadium Team Room a $1 million donation from alumnus Fred Tattersall to the College of Business and Economics for scholarships; and a $1 million gift from alumnus John Forman to establish scholarships for in-state students studying in the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, and Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.
Chairman of Putnam Investments and 1974 alumnus Robert Reynolds and Cadrillion Capital President Verl Purdy, a 1964 WVU graduate, are the National Campaign co-chairmen
Visit www.astateofminds.com for information on how you can help support the campaign.
The WVU Foundation was chartered in 1954 to secure, hold and administer funds and properties given by individuals, corporations and philanthropic foundations in support of WVU.
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CONTACT: Bill Nevin; WVU Foundation
304-284-4056; wnevin@wvuf.org
Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.