FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2008
Contact:
Jeff Perez, Office of Communications and Government
Affairs
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740)
352-5566
E-mail:
jperez@shawnee.edu
Shawnee State University’s capital campaign surpasses
its $12 million goal
The largest
fundraising campaign in the area’s history has surpassed
its goal.
Shawnee State
University announced today that its capital campaign,
Poised for Tomorrow, has raised a total of
$15,578,993.00 in cash and planned gifts, surpassing the
campaign’s goal of $12 million.
An
anonymous donation of $4 million, the largest individual
gift in the university’s history, put the campaign total
over the top. A deferred gift, it will be used for
scholarships and various outreach programs.
“This is a
thrilling day for Shawnee State,” said President Rita
Rice Morris. “We are excited about the possibilities
this funding creates for the future of higher education
in the region.”
The campaign
began in April 2005 with a quiet phase and was
officially announced in January of last year. In all,
980 gifts, in many different forms, were received.
“I can’t say
enough about the support this community has shown us
over these past three years,” said Frank Waller, who
co-chaired the campaign with his wife, Janis. “Janis and
I are so proud to have been a part of such an important
step in our area’s future growth.”
In order to
determine the campaign’s objectives, President Morris
personally conducted a fact-finding study among
students, faculty, staff and alumni to determine what
the University needed in order to move to the next level
of excellence. Her work identified the campaign’s seven
initiatives: undergraduate research, agenda for
technology, specialized studies, faculty development,
scholarships, enhanced clinical experience and enhanced
quality of life for the region.
“We
have no intention of resting on our laurels. Our future
truly depends on building on our successes and these
initiatives will help us do that,” Morris said.
John
Ross Campbell, Student Government Association President,
said students are also thrilled with the campaign’s
success. “The support of the community means a lot to
us. We are truly excited about what the future holds for
SSU.”
Although the campaign has surpassed its goal, donations
are still being received from those still wanting the
opportunity to participate. “This week alone we received
four one thousand dollar gifts,” said Susan Warsaw,
executive director of development. “We look forward to
honoring all of our donors of one thousand dollars or
more on our beautiful plaque that will hang in the
University Center.”
Warsaw added
that the proceeds from this year’s President’s Gala will
also go to Poised for Tomorrow. The gala, a celebration
of the campaign, will be Friday, May 30th.
Anyone
wishing to make a donation to Poised for Tomorrow can
contact the SSU Development Office at (740) 351-3284.
For more information about the campaign, you can visit
www.shawnee.edu/campaign.
