News from the OSU Foundation! They write:
The Campaign for OSU surpasses half billion milestone!
Supporters of Oregon State University have contributed more than $500 million to The Campaign for OSU, keeping the university on track for meeting its goal of raising $625 million by 2011.
The campaign, which was publicly launched in 2007, is the university’s first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign and, to date, has received support from one in every five OSU graduates. Additionally, some 30 percent of donors supporting the campaign are parents, volunteers, and other friends who did not graduate from the university.
“We are surrounded by a vast community of friends, thousands strong, who believe in our mission, support our work and share our vision of greater excellence,” said OSU President Ed Ray.
Campaign gifts include 90 commitments of $1 million or more, representing 60 percent of all million-dollar gifts the university has ever received, and over 600 commitments at the $100,000 level. Despite the economic downturn, OSU is experiencing its second best fundraising year on record and has raised almost $70 million in the current fiscal year to benefit students and faculty through scholarships, endowed positions, and new facilities for research and learning.
“We’re delighted to see that alumni and friends are continuing to make OSU their philanthropic priority even during these challenging times,” said Mike Goodwin, President and CEO of the OSU Foundation.
Campaign achievements include:
• The opening of Kearney Hall, an historic building renovated with over $12 million in private support
• A gift of $1.25 million from alumni Scott and Sandy Campbell to establish the Banfield Professorship in Companion Animal Industries in OSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences
• 28 new endowed faculty positions, an increase of 40 percent since the start of the campaign
• More than $78 million toward a $100 million goal for scholarships and fellowships; see related release on recent $275,000 scholarship gift from Penny Atkins and her husband, Gary.
