The Campaign for Florida Atlantic University

For the first time in more than 20 years, Florida Atlantic University is undertaking a universitywide, comprehensive fundraising campaign that is designed to enrich and enhance all facets of the university community. By defining tomorrow’s challenges and preparing for them today, FAU is fostering opportunities for students, faculty and the greater community that will have far-reaching impacts for this generation and beyond.

Florida Atlantic’s tradition of philanthropy is as old as the university. Just over 60 years ago, the Florida legislature approved the creation of the university; however, it did not provide funding for its planning, design or construction. It took the generosity and commitment of local leaders, led by Tom Fleming and Charles Schmidt, to turn the dream of a public university in Boca Raton into a reality. Thanks to their leadership and determination, community leaders were able to raise nearly three times more than was necessary to make Florida Atlantic a reality. It is due to that incredible outpouring of philanthropy that FAU can fulfill its purpose and mission today. This served as an inspiration for the current fundraising campaign, “Transcend Tomorrow: The Campaign for Florida Atlantic University,” which launched publicly on Dec. 6, 2022, and aims to raise $600 million for the university with a focus in three key areas: FAU Health, scholarships and student success, and the environment.

“Philanthropy has always played a crucial part in the growth of FAU,” said Chris Delisio, vice president of institutional advancement and CEO of the FAU Foundation, Inc. “Through ‘Transcend Tomorrow,’ we are able to focus our fundraising endeavors and prepare for the needs of the future.” n

Beginning with its inaugural class of students in 1964, Florida Atlantic University has provided life-changing education, especially for those who may have thought a college degree was out of reach. College degrees do come with a cost; however, the expenses go far beyond tuition. Housing, meals, books and fees can quickly add up, preventing bright, talented students from graduating or even starting their degrees. By addressing barriers to academic success, FAU can provide access and opportunity to life-changing education regardless of a student’s socioeconomic status. By also strengthening support systems that include personalized mentoring and counseling, FAU provides a whole host of wraparound services that ensures a student’s success in the classroom and, ultimately, in the workplace.

FAU Health: Preparing for the Health Care Needs of Tomorrow

Florida’s population is growing, which creates additional pressure on its health care system. With an increased demand for physicians, and a projected shortfall of registered nurses and licensed practical nurses by 2035, the state will struggle to meet basic health care needs. FAU Health is a collaborative endeavor that brings together several of the university’s health, research and social science programs by creating a dynamic and formidable force to solve tomorrow’s challenges today. By educating and training critically needed health care workers, and facilitating collaboration and innovation for research from bench to bedside, FAU can solve tomorrow’s health care challenges today.

Environment: Protecting Our Natural Resources

South Florida’s diverse landscape, which includes fast-growing and low-lying landscapes, the Everglades and the Atlantic Ocean, has significant influence on human health and the health of the economy. Issues such as water quality, sea-level rise and increasingly severe and frequent storms will be factors affecting environmental health for generations to come; hence, the need to increase environmental education, awareness and stewardship to preserve and protect our natural resources. By making the environment a funding priority, and encouraging collaboration among disciplines, we can tackle pressing environmental issues today to ensure a better tomorrow.

With an aging population, the need for skilled physicians is greater than ever. Thanks to an extraordinary gift of $28 million by Anne and John Wood to support medical education scholarships, more medical students at FAU will be able to start their careers completely free of debt.

“I have wanted to be a doctor since I was 2 years old. I have had the support of my parents, family and teachers. Now, I have the support of Mr. and Mrs. Wood so that I can attend medical school and not worry about having an overwhelming amount of debt. They have given me much more than a scholarship; they have given me faith.” - Jessica Baran, first-generation student and member of the College of Medicine’s class of 2025

“Our goal of $600 million is ambitious; however, FAU has a strong tradition of incredible support from friends of the university,” said FAU President Stacy Volnick, Ph.D. “‘Transcend Tomorrow’ enables Florida Atlantic to think bigger, be bolder and achieve more for our students and faculty which ultimately benefits the greater community and the world.”

For more information about Transform Tomorrow: The Campaign for Florida Atlantic University or to give a gift, visit transcendtomorrow.fau.edu