Samford University in Birmingham celebrated Aug. 19 with the surprise announcement by President Andrew Westmoreland that the university had exceeded its goal for “A Campaign for Samford” more than four months early.
As of Aug. 15, gifts and pledges totaling $200,155,265 had been received from 17,381 donors, representing the largest fundraising effort in the university’s 173-year history. Gift amounts ranged from 36 cents to $13.4 million. The campaign launched in October 2009 with a goal of $200 million.
“This is a story, actually thousands of stories, of people who rallied to support an institution they cherish, at times when economic uncertainty pervaded every aspect of their lives,” Westmoreland said.
Fundraising projects
The campaign originally was scheduled to end Dec. 31 but likely will close about Nov. 1, said W. Randy Pittman, Samford’s vice president for advancement. Several projects remain in progress, including a new Brock School of Business building and a campaign for Cumberland School of Law.
Every facet of the university has benefited from the campaign, officials noted.
Pittman cited the importance of the two largest campaign goals — scholarships and annual fund.
Annual fund support is the largest single component of the campaign, with more than $76.8 million raised in “much-needed funds” beyond revenue provided by tuition and fees, Pittman explained, underscoring the national recognition for value and affordability that Samford has received from several prestigious rankings and publications.
More than $56 million in new scholarship funds has been received.
Gifts of $31.4 million support academic programs, including expansion of existing programs and the launch of several new initiatives.
Although capital projects were not the largest component of the campaign, nearly $30 million has been given to provide for the new business school building, new residence facilities, renovated fine arts facilities and new athletics facilities.
About $6 million was given for faculty enhancements, including endowed chairs and professorships and research support that help to “attract and retain quality individuals to join Samford’s nationally-recognized faculty,” Pittman said.
When the university launched “A Campaign for Samford,” it did so in an unusual economic climate.
Westmoreland said, “Launching the campaign as we did, during a dismal period for the economy, probably made a few of [our] friends scratch their heads in wonder at our timing.”
“I’ve always said that there is no perfect time to undertake a capital campaign,” he said. “Perhaps we stretched the limits of timing with this effort, but the results should be a jolt of confidence to every person connected with Samford. I am deeply grateful for every gift from every person.”
(Samford)
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