University News
Centennial Campaign for Western Exceeds Goal; $24.8 Million Raised in Five-Year Effort
April 28, 2001
MACOMB, IL -- The Centennial Campaign for Western Illinois University has raised $24.8 million, exceeding its $20 million goal, according to Larry Mortier, vice president for Advancement and Public Services and executive officer of the WIU Foundation.
The success of the five-year Centennial Campaign, was celebrated in an April 28, 2001 Centennial Finale event for major donors, alumni, University officials and invited guests. The Campaign focused on four central themes: graduating the best prepared, most ambitious students in Illinois; developing a University that is globally aware and technologically advanced; preparing the campus for the 21st century; and maintaining the strength of existing programs and services.
"The campaign has brought out the best in our volunteer leadership, alumni, friends, faculty, staff and students during a defining period in the history of our institution," said WIU President Donald S. Spencer. "The success of the Centennial Campaign has demonstrated that our goals are shared by many; our achievements are genuine; and there is an overwhelming feeling of optimism and confidence in the future of our University."
"We are extremely grateful for the generosity of the thousands of our loyal alumni and friends who supported the campaign, " Mortier said. "These new resources have increased scholarship opportunities for our students, enhanced quality and innovation, and created an even more productive and technologically advanced teaching-learning environment on our campus."
The campaign has added more than $6.6 million to the WIU Foundation's endowment to fund student scholarships and fellowships. A total of 95 new scholarship endowment funds were established during the campaign.
An additional $2.7 million has been committed for scientific equipment and technology; $3.3 million for selected capital projects for athletics, fine arts and campus beautification; more than $4.5 million for instructional initiatives and academic program enhancements; an additional $1.2 million for faculty and library resources; and $6.5 million in annual program support, according to Mortier.
This past year the WIU Foundation processed 25,736 gifts from 13,561 alumni, friends and parents, faculty and staff members, corporations and businesses, foundations and other organizations. Alumni giving has increased from $536,682 in 1996 to $2,284,165 in 2000. Assets of the WIU Foundation have grown from $5.8 million to nearly $18 million during the campaign.
"The Foundation is both grateful and honored that so many alumni and friends select Western Illinois University to be a recipient of their philanthropy," said WIU Foundation President Steven L. Nelson.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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