Thanks to the generosity of more than 8,500 alumni and friends, Ohio University’s College of Arts and Sciences has surpassed its $15 million Promise Lives Campaign goal – six months ahead of schedule. The Campaign, which continues though June 30, 2015, is securing an unprecedented level of financial support for OHIO.
“I’m very grateful for and encouraged by the broad base of support that alumni and friends have shown the College of Arts and Sciences during the Campaign,” said Dean Robert Frank. “Campaign gifts and commitments are reaching across each of the college’s 18 academic departments and are impacting learning and research in the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. This is a special moment for our college and our alumni. And, there’s still time to support students and faculty, research and scholarships.”
Dean Bob Frank
The College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest of OHIO’s colleges and has the largest alumni base with 51,455 living alumni. During the Campaign, more than 13 percent (nearly 6,850) of those graduates have made a commitment to the college. Together with friends, faculty and staff, foundations and corporations, these donors have committed $15,260,583 in support of the college’s students, faculty and programs.
“The support shown by alumni and friends of the College of Arts and Sciences is a testament to the transformative nature of our academic programs and the overall Ohio University experience. Our graduates tell us that their time at Ohio University shapes who they are as professionals, scholars and citizens,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Pam Benoit. “Clearly, generosity and loyalty to their alma mater are values that our graduates have demonstrated in their support of this Campaign.”
In the Campaign’s final months, Frank said the college’s priority will be raising funds to support “student and faculty research, awards and prizes for research and creative activity, and undergraduate scholarships through The OHIO Match™.” Through this scholarship investment program, the University has dedicated $25 million to strengthen endowed scholarships. For a limited time, these funds are matching 50 cents on EVERY dollar committed to eligible scholarship endowments.
“Increasing need- and merit-based scholarship support is crucial,” said Frank. “Scholarship gifts help to ensure that the college can recruit and retain talented students and help to reduce the cost of an education to students and their families.”
Already, the College of Arts and Sciences has raised more than $530,000 in new endowed scholarship support thanks to The OHIO Match.
“We’ve covered a lot of ground,” said President and CEO of The Ohio University Foundation and Vice President of University Advancement J. Bryan Benchoff. “In the remaining months of the Campaign, we’re striving toward participation. When you get that call, or that letter in the mail, think about how far we can take this Campaign – about what we can achieve together for our University. This is it. This is our moment to make a difference.”
The Promise Lives Campaign surpassed its $450 million goal in May 2014. To date, Campaign donors have committed more than $480 million to OHIO’s students, faculty, programs, outreach and select facilities. Several colleges and units have exceeded their individual Campaign goals: the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine ($123 million goal, $136.6 million attained), the College of Business ($20 million goal, $26.4 million attained), Intercollegiate Athletics ($21.35 million goal, $24.0 million attained), the Division of Student Affairs ($2 million goal, $2.6 million attained) and the College of Arts and Sciences ($15 million goal, $15.26 attained).
Established in 1945 by OHIO President John C. Baker, The Ohio University Foundation is the fundraising unit responsible for raising, investing and disbursing funds in support of the OHIO educational mission. The Foundation is an institutionally related, non-profit, tax exempt, 501c(3) organization, and is the repository for all private gifts to the University through annual giving programs, capital and special campaigns, and planned or deferred gifts.
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