WVU tops $750M fundraising goal early, increases goal to $1 billion

Initial $750 million goal shattered by $22 million. New goal $1 billion set and campaign extended to December 2017.

The largest fund-raising effort in West Virginia University’s history has shattered its $750 million goal more than a year before the original deadline, University and WVU Foundation officials announced Saturday (Sept. 6). As a result, the State of Minds campaign has been extended through December 2017 with a new goal of $1 billion.

Alumni and friends of WVU contributed $772.6 million through June 30, topping the campaign’s initial goal by $22 million, officials said during a special announcement at Blaney House with Foundation representatives, donors and friends present.

“West Virginia University’s alumni and friends are some of the most generous and genuine people I’ve ever met,” President Gordon Gee said. “It is because of them that we are able to expand this effort and increase our goal.

“I am confident we’ll reach a billion dollars – and perhaps beyond – over the next few years. It is an exciting time to be a part of this great land-grant university.”

Campaign donations thus far have established 524 student scholarships, 41 chairs and professorships, 181 funds to assist research efforts and 200 funds to aid WVU in its efforts to improve the state’s health, economy and quality of life.

Click below to hear the WVUToday spot on extending the State of Minds campaign.

The campaign’s quiet phase began July 1, 2007, and was publicly launched June 2, 2012. The Foundation Board of Directors approved the extension and new goal last month, acting on the recommendation of the national campaign committee.

“Response to the campaign from day one has been nothing short of phenomenal,” said Verl Purdy, a 1964 alumnus and national co-chair of the campaign. “An investment of this proportion by our passionately committed University family is having a tremendous impact, transforming lives not only in Morgantown, but across our state, country and the world.”

The original campaign goal of $750 million was three times larger than the previous “Building Greatness” campaign from 1998-2003, he added.

Fundraising has focused on University-wide campaign priority areas that align with the University’s 2020 Strategic Plan for the Future. Gift commitments in each of these areas through June 30, 2014, show:

  • $353.9 million – Enhance the undergraduate student experience and global education.
  • $190 million – Advance the research initiative of the University.
  • $80.8 million – Enable WVU to improve West Virginia’s health, economy, quality of life.
  • $74.6 million – Enhance WVU through professional and graduate education.
  • $73.2 million – Foster faculty excellence.

From the above gift commitments, $176.2 million will be used to support healthcare through research, education and patient care.

Foundation officials say 71,324 donors have given 255,318 gifts to the campaign. This includes donations from 30,861 alumni. The largest percentage of donations to the campaign, 44 percent, has come from individuals. The rest of the contributions have come from a number of different sources including corporations, foundations, trusts and estates.

Moving forward, Gee said the focus of the campaign will be on people. He said many needs of the University remain, and additional resources will be needed for West Virginia University to continue to be the engine that transforms lives across the state, nation and world.

“Our University is the people’s University,” he said. “It is imperative to the state and nation’s futures that we attract the best students. We must also attract and retain the best faculty and staff. To do this, we must secure resources for our work. We will need to value talent. We will need to provide even more scholarships for students, and we will need to foster fellowship among our schools and colleges to work as partners in all aspects of our mission.

“I do not know of another university that has the potential to make as clear an impact on the people of a state as does West Virginia University,” Gee said. “Our campaign and the support of our alumni and friends have brought us to excellence, and now, by extending our campaign, we will be able to move further, faster to eminence.”

Campaign co-chair Bob Reynolds, a 1974 graduate, said he has no doubt the new goal will be met.

“Thousands of people have heard about this campaign and have given, and we can’t thank you enough,” Reynolds said. “For those of you who have not, you will be hearing from us. We know that alumni and friends of WVU are loyal, passionate and above all, generous. We confidently believe the resources are there to not only meet this new goal, but exceed it.”

WVU Foundation President and CEO Cindi Roth added, “Our staff is committed to partnering with President Gee and the University community to make sure the needs of WVU are met through private support. We, too, are very grateful for the generosity shown thus far, and are excited to keep the momentum of this campaign going.”

Also speaking at the event were WVU freshman Savannah Lusk of Wyoming County, a recipient of the WVU Foundation Scholarship, and Dr. Harry Turtle, the Fred T. Tattersall Chair of Finance in the College of Business and Economics. Both discussed how private giving to WVU has positively affected their lives and opened many doors of opportunity for success.

For more on A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University, visit www.astateofminds.com

The WVU Foundation was chartered in 1954 to secure, hold and administer funds and properties given by individuals, corporations and philanthropic foundations in support of WVU.

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CONTACT: Bill Nevin, WVU Foundation
304-376-1143; wnevin@wvuf.org

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.