Samford University in Birmingham has big plans to raise a big sum of money — $200 million in the next five years.
The largest portion — about $65 million of it — will go to scholarships, with the rest being divvied out among faculty enhancements, academic programs, campus facilities and annual fund support for ongoing operational costs.
“By Samford’s standards, this is ambitious, but we are encouraged by advance pledges and gifts,” said Samford President Andrew Westmoreland at a press conference held Oct. 9 to announce the campaign. “We felt this goal was in balance with Samford’s size.”
The fund-raising drive dwarfs others in the school’s history — the last campaign, completed three years ago, was for $53 million, and the largest ever was $85 million in the early 1990s.
The newly launched campaign has already almost topped its previous high mark — $84 million has been pledged or given toward the $200 million goal. The last year was spent garnering preliminary gifts and pledges, with the two years prior spent planning.
“Many, many friends of Samford gave toward this initial amount,” Westmoreland said, noting that the recently completed Cooney Family Field House for football was considered part of the campaign, as well as William Self Propst Hall, which was paid off and dedicated in March.
The campaign pulls together all sources of income toward the goal, including gifts to Samford from Alabama Baptist churches and through the Cooperative Program, noted W. Randall Pittman, vice president for university advancement.
“Alabama Baptists provide the largest consistent gift we get year in and year out, and that is something we are so appreciative of,” Pittman said.
Albert P. Brewer, chairman of the campaign cabinet and former Alabama governor, said some might see this as a strange economic time to be starting a major fund-raising effort, but Samford sees it as something its student body needs more than ever.
“Our needs are even greater and more pronounced now, and the needs of our students and the opportunities we have to minister to them are greater now because of these [economic] circumstances,” Brewer said. “This is a time when we must go forward with our campaign in view of these conditions.”
The next largest recipient of the campaign is the annual fund at $60 million, something Pittman said is vital to keep Samford running at its best level.
“Tuition revenue is designated for instructional costs, but ongoing operational needs are just as critical,” he said.
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