By Lyndsey Gilpin
Raising $750 million will be no small feat. But the University of Louisville is determined to achieve this goal.
On Nov. 10, U of L launched its new Charting Our Course fundraising campaign. The goals are to raise the money by July 2013 and to become Kentucky’s premier metropolitan research university. The funds will be dispersed to several different areas and programs throughout the university, including academic support, student scholarship programs, athletic facilities, research, and improved libraries and buildings for each college within the university.
The campaign began three years ago. Since then, U of L has raised over $370 million toward its goal
The university lists two reasons for earning half of the goal before announcing the campaign: logistics and momentum. Because the administration is so determined to raise the money, they wanted to prove they were serious before announcing the plan to people in the community who might potentially donate.
“We did not want the donors to get tired or bored,” said Keith Inman, the vice president for university advancement. “And if we announced it the first day, they would have. And I think it really speaks to the product – the money we have already raised.”
U of L has proven itself as a driving force for the community in past years, which is one of the reasons it now asks citizens to give back. According to officials, the university has put $1.2 billion into stimulating the community in the last eight years.
“The university’s fingerprints are on every program in Louisville in some form or fashion,” said Inman. “We are the engine of the economy in Louisville.”
Inman said that, to improve Kentucky as a state, Louisville has to lead the way. U of L President James Ramsey addressed this issue at the Charting Our Course campaign kickoff in front of 500 people.
“An investment in the University of Louisville is an investment in the welfare of our community and state,” said Ramsey.
Students may wonder where they come into play in this campaign. Although the campaign has a website devoted to explaining the distribution of the money, students may find it hard to understand how it will benefit them.
“The students mean a lot,” said Inman. “This is focused on the students.”
Much of the money will be used for merit- and need-based scholarships. The university hopes to offer more opportunities to students so that they will not feel as much financial pressure about attending college. A large amount of the money will also fund recruitment and retention of quality professors.
As they learn more about the campaign, many students are becoming increasingly supportive. Some students feel strongly about the campaign, even though they will graduate before the full effects of the fundraising efforts are seen.
“I think it is a fantastic and quite important undertaking,” said Nick Pappe, a senior music major. “On top of that, it is already going so well. I feel like it will be undoubtedly successful.”
Although funding for the campaign is mainly through alumni and community donations, individuals throughout the country are contributing. Inman was recently in New York, attending meetings to gain support and recruiting alumni and friends.
“We are nationally focused,” said Inman. “There is hard work left to do, but I am confident. This is the U of L story.”
For more information on the campaign or instructions on how to donate, visit chartingourcourse.org.
