Most organizations rely on fundraising, support and donations to reach their goals. Universities are no different, as raising money allows a school to improve facilities, purchase equipment and improve the overall learning environment. Here at Western Illinois University, donors, alumni and invited guests gathered earlier this semester to hear some exciting news. The public phase of the $60 million campaign, Set the Standard: Higher Values in Higher Education in underway here at WIU.
I recently had the chance to speak with Brad Bainter, Vice President for Advancement and Public Services and Executive Officer of the WIU Foundation, and ask him about the goals of the campaign. “Set the Standard: Higher Values in Higher Education campaign focuses on four central goals: increased scholarship support for students; creating endowed programs in support of Western faculty; funding improvements to capital facilities; and enhancing information and technology to enrich the educational experience for students and faculty. He told me the campaign will end December 31, 2013. “Because of the outstanding support so far from our alumni and friends I anticipate the goal of $60 million could be met as early as late 2012 or the first few months of 2013,” Bainter said.
Alumni and friends have already been very generous, and Bainter says that because of the campaign, there has been a definite increase in scholarship support for WIU students. There has also been an increase in support of faculty initiatives. “Alumni and friends of Western Illinois University contribute to Western for various reasons. Without a doubt the number one reason for donating to Western is to assist our students. Some wish to support faculty initiatives or technology needs. Campus beautification is another popular area of support. We also receive many gifts in memory of family members or favorite faculty members. It really comes down to pride in the University and the desire from our alumni and friends to assist us in any way possible,” Bainter said.
The campaign was announced at an amazing event in late October, which Bainter believes was a huge success. “I was extremely pleased with our campaign kick-off dinner the Foundation hosted on October 29. Many different individuals and areas of the university came together to make that night a wonderful and memorable night for the over 400 in attendance. The Jazz Studio Orchestra set the setting with their music before and during dinner and the Marching Leathernecks got everyone excited when they entered Western Hall playing our fight song and ending with their ever-popular rendition of Georgia on my Mind! Our campaign video featuring students talking about their scholarships and thanking donors was well received and the speech given by WIU alumnus Major Erik Archer was a highlight of the night. Both the campaign video and the speech can be accessed on the front page of the WIU website and I encourage anyone who has not seen either video yet to do so,” Bainter said.
Many WIU Alumni and friends have shared their estate plans with WIU during this campaign. “Their generous bequests will add tremendous support for scholarships, professorships, programs, and facilities enhancements,” Bainter said. $60 million is a huge number, and it is amazing to think how close we already are to reaching the goal. I hope that in this season of giving, alumni and friends will contribute to WIU, a wonderful place that is like a second home to so many. To make a donation towards the campaign, visit http://www.wiu.edu/giving.
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