University News
WIU Announces $60 Million Campaign
October 29, 2010
MACOMB, IL – The public phase of the $60 million campaign, Set the Standard: Higher Values in Higher Education, for Western Illinois University was announced to donors, alumni and invited guests at an Oct. 29 WIU Foundation event.
"When we announced our goal of $60 million more than four years ago, the campaign consultants thought our goal was lofty, and suggested we set the target at $30 million," noted WIU President Al Goldfarb. "Since launching the pre-public phase of this campaign in 2006, I am pleased to announce that we have surpassed that $30 million mark.
"Thanks to the generosity of so many loyal supporters, nearly $40 million has been raised since 2006, with the last two years breaking fundraising records at this great institution," Goldfarb added. "I wish to personally thank our alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends of the University for their response in support of Western."
According to Brad Bainter, vice president for advancement and public services and executive officer of the WIU Foundation, the Set the Standard: Higher Values in Higher Education campaign focuses on four central goals: increased scholarship support for students; creating endowed programs in support of Western faculty; funding improvements to capital facilities; and enhancing information and technology to enrich the educational experience for students and faculty.
Securing $20 million in endowment to support scholarship resources will expand Western's efforts to attract and retain a highly qualified and diverse student body and to ensure access and affordability. Raising financial support of $15 million to endow faculty chairs, professorships and fellowships to support faculty teaching, research and service is the second major campaign goal.
A goal of $15 million has also been set for capital improvements to create new facilities and upgrade/expand existing facilities, while $10 million in additional funds will allow for technology upgrades for instruction and course delivery.
"The generosity of Western's alumni, friends, faculty, staff and students thus far has allowed the University to add new scholarships; establish new academic programs, such as nursing and engineering; and further enhance the learning environment," Bainter said. "Our success to date is significant and the response from our alumni and friends to the campaign is encouraging, and we enter into the public phase with great confidence."
For more information on the WIU Foundation and contributing to Set the Standard, visit wiu.edu/giving or call (309) 298-1861. An accessible PDF outlining the complete details of the Set the Standard campaign can be found at wiu.edu/giving.
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing
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