Building Greatness Campaign: West Virginia University has reached $216.4 million in gifts and pledges toward its $250 million campaign goal, officials announced this week.

The WVU Foundation is conducting the Building Greatness Campaign, the largest campaign ever undertaken on behalf of the University.

WVU alumni and friends have supported the campaign with $120.4 million, while foundations, corporations and other organizations have committed $86.8 million. Regional campuses have received $9.2 million in support.

Some $31.5 million has been received for student support including 245 new scholarship funds. In addition, 29 new chairs and professorships have been created and nearly $20 million has been designated by donors for faculty development. Among the $89.6 million in commitments specifically for academic research and initiatives are the School of Medicines $16.3 million and the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources$4.3 million. The WVU Library Special Initiative for furnishings has gifts and pledges of $138,413.

The campaign, a five-year effort, concludes on Dec. 31, 2003.

The WVU Foundation is a private non-profit corporation that generates and provides support for WVU .