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UMAA National President: Your Campaign Gifts at Work
7/9/2003

At our annual celebration on May 29—which was also the kickoff to the UMAA's centennial year—we put our money where our mouths are. As one of the thank-you gifts to keynote speaker and former UMAA national president Harvey Mackay (B.A. '54), the alumni association made a gift of $25,000 to the University for student scholarships in his honor. It was one way to encourage all alumni attending the annual meeting who had not yet given to Campaign Minnesota to make a gift of any size to assist us in support of scholarships for our future students—who are, ultimately, our future alumni.

On June 30, the University of Minnesota Foundation and the Minnesota Medical Foundation closed the books on the campaign, one of the most successful capital campaigns by this or any other major U.S. university. The goal of $1.3 billion was met and surpassed months ago. At this printing, the numbers still aren't final but the total has exceeded $1.6 billion, with more than 210,000 donors—a truly remarkable accomplishment.

Equally impressive is that more than 11,000 faculty and staff gave a record $62 million, 154 percent of the goal, making a resounding statement of loyalty and affection for their workplace.

At the May meeting of the University Foundation, Executive Vice President Judy Kirk presented results and findings of the campaign effort, many of them surprising but all profoundly encouraging about the strong and broadly based support the University enjoys in Minnesota. Indeed, the impact this campaign will have on our great university is profound, and many of these generous gifts are already at work.
More than $342 million was raised for faculty, 125 percent of the goal. This creates 102 additional endowed positions for a total of 364, up from 245 just six years ago. More than $240 million was raised for student initiatives, 107 percent of the goal. These funds will go to much-needed scholarships and fellowships both to offset rising tuition and continue to attract the best and brightest students. New scholarships number 587, fellowships 233.

The impact on campus facilities is equally impressive. More than $126 million was raised for more than 25 building and renovation projects, many have been completed or are under way. These include the Architecture addition, Microbial and Plant Genomics, Murphy Hall, Weber Music Hall and the Science Building on the Duluth campus, the Art Building, Andersen Library, Mechanical Engineering, Amundson Hall, Barbara Barker Dance Center, University Showboat, Fitness Center at Morris, Visitor and Learning Center for the Arboretum, and the Densford Nursing Center.

A high campaign priority was research funding, and more than $522 million was raised, 149 percent of the goal. Initiatives funded include research in cancer, digital technology, plant genomics, child development, heart disease, agriculture, and a wide variety of interdisciplinary efforts.

Naturally, a primary goal of the UMAA has been to maximize alumni giving. Judy reported that more than $440 million was given by nearly 83,000 alumni. That represents about 23 percent of all living alumni. A sincere thank you to all of you who contributed. Our ongoing challenge is to continue making powerful connections with our alumni—encouraging them to become UMAA members and also University donors.

In 2002, the University of Minnesota ranked 14th among all private and public colleges and universities for voluntary private support and fourth among all public universities. We should do all we can to help move us up even higher on the list. For state support will likely continue to decline, tuition will continue to rise, and we will continue to need to attract the best students, faculty, and staff so that the University remains the world-class institution Minnesota deserves.

On that note, I take leave of my role as your alumni association president, grateful for a year of fellowship and wonder, and honored to have become closer not only to my alma mater, but to so many others who love and serve it.

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