“A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University” is at 91 percent of its goal with more than two years remaining in the fundraising effort.
The WVU Foundation announced Wednesday (Oct. 23) that alumni and friends of the University have given $683.4 million through Sept. 30. The goal of the comprehensive campaign is to raise $750 million by Dec. 31, 2015.
“We continue to be extremely pleased with the response we’ve had from University supporters,” said Wayne King, WVU Foundation president and CEO. “People are excited about all the positive news coming out of the University and this has translated to success in fundraising. We remain on track to exceed our goal early.”
“A State of Minds” is the largest private fundraising campaign in WVU’s history. The $750 million goal is three times larger than the previous “Building Greatness” campaign from 1998-2003.
“West Virginia University is a world-class university with incredible alumni, friends, faculty and staff who are stepping up in countless ways through this capital campaign,” said WVU President Jim Clements. “It’s impossible to imagine this University without the help we receive from private contributions. Our strength comes from the people who believe in and love this place, and we are extremely grateful for their amazing support.”
Major gifts announced during the past three months include a $1.5 million contribution from the Wehrle family of Charleston and the Wehrle Foundation to benefit the College of Business and Economics and the College of Law; a $100,000 donation from Jose “Zito” Sartarelli, the Milan Puskar dean at the College of Business and Economics, and his wife, Katherine A. Sartarelli, creating new scholarships at the College; and a $100,000 gift from WVU men’s head basketball coach Bob Huggins and wife, June, to the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences for scholarships and new facility funding.
Fundraising is focusing on six University-wide campaign priority areas that align with the University’s 2020 Strategic Plan for the Future:
- Enhance the undergraduate student experience and global education
- Advance the research initiative of the University
- Enable WVU to improve West Virginia’s health, economy and quality of life
- Foster faculty excellence
- Enhance WVU through professional and graduate education
- Support healthcare through research, education and patient care
Chairman of Putnam Investments and 1974 alumnus Robert Reynolds and Cadrillion Capital President Verl Purdy, a 1964 WVU graduate, are the national campaign co-chairmen while James “Buck” Harless is the national campaign honorary chairman.
A key component of this comprehensive campaign for WVU is the utilization of hundreds of volunteers. Along with a 23-member national volunteer committee, the campaign also has West Virginia and regional volunteer chairs. Each college and school has its own campaign committee with its chair also serving on the national committee.
Visit www.astateofminds.com for information on how you can help support the campaign.
