The West Virginia University Foundation has had a record- setting year in the fourth year of the Building Greatness Campaign, officials announced today, and campaign totals have now surpassed the $225 million mark toward the $250 million goal.

For fiscal year 2002 the Foundation set records with $57.4 million in gifts from 20,333 donors and $36.7 million in disbursements from the Foundation on behalf of the University. The previous marks were $52.9 million set in FY 2000 and $29.9 million set in FY 2001 , respectively.

The Campaign, which ends Dec. 31, 2003, has received total gifts and pledges of $225.8 million.

“Considering the fluctuations of the stock market and slow economic recovery,”said F. Duke Perry, president and CEO of the WVU Foundation,”we are overwhelmed to have received such generous support from alumni and friends of the University and to have reached 90 percent of our campaign goal. This generosity is making it possible for WVU to solidify its reputation as a nationally prominent university. With the increased influx of private dollars through the campaign, the University is able to strengthen its academic programs, attract and retain gifted faculty and researchers, and provide financial support for students. The impact of private giving is touching all areas of the University.”

Of the $57.4 million, alumni contributed $10.1 million; friends of WVU , $20.9 million; corporations and foundations, $14.9 million; and other organizations, $11.5 million. In FY 2002 , the Foundation also received $13.2 million in pledges. Its total assets under management are $413.6 million, down 1 percent from FY 2001 . The endowment is $297.8 million, down 5 percent from FY 2001 .

“Considering the market conditions during FY 2002 , we are pleased that our assets and endowment experienced such a minimal decline,”Perry noted.

Commitments to the Building Greatness Campaign include: $52 million from alumni, $75.7 million from friends, $71.9 million from corporations and foundations, and $26.2 million from other organizations.

Gifts and pledges to the six areas of the campaign include: $33.7 million for student support, $21 million for faculty development, $92.6 million for academic research and initiatives, $3.9 million for library enrichment, $24.8 for campus development and technology, and $31.8 million for the 21st century opportunities fund. Commitments awaiting designation by donors total $18 million. Thirty-one new chairs and professorships and 261 new scholarship funds, including 37 student-athlete scholarship funds, have been created.

The WVU Foundation is conducting the campaign on behalf of the University, which includes the Charleston Division of the WVUHealthSciencesCenter, Jacksons Mill, Potomac State College of WVU , WVU Parkersburg, and WVU Institute of Technology.

The WVU Foundation is a private non-profit corporation that generates, receives and administers private gifts for the benefit of West VirginiaUniversity and its affiliated organizations.