Significant gifts continue momentum toward $17.3M goal On October 8, 2015, with $10.7 million in gifts and pledges collected during its quiet phase ($6.5 million from the Board of Trustees alone), “Rock Solid & Ready – The Campaign for Rockford University” went public. This comprehensive campaign, the first of its kind conducted in more than two decades, builds on the recent measured progress of a resilient and determined Rockford University. Three primary elements (listed below), designed to enhance the student experience, shape the $17.3 million campaign’s focus. Compete: Shaping Modern Facilities, $7.2M total • Starr Science Center modernizations and acquisition of select scientific equipment, $1.2M • Construction of a new Athletic and Event Center adjacent to Seaver Center, $6M Create: Enhancing the Student Experience, $6.1M total • Endowed Student Opportunity Fund, $1M • Expendable Student Opportunity Fund, $1M • Academic Program Enhancement through the creation of Puri School of Business, $4.1M Commit: Providing for Current Needs, $4M total • Extended and ongoing support of the annual Charter Fund, the lifeblood of any institution The campaign has just crossed the $13 million threshold, with more than $5 million of that amount given unrestricted to support any of the campaign’s elements. While that is exciting, more work must take place and more active support must be secured in order for us to successfully cross the finish line in November of 2018. To sustain our progress, we take this space to provide an overview of a few organizations with long connections to Rockford University that have made noteworthy gifts and pledges in our recent push. We hope it demonstrates our progress while we begin to publicly acknowledge all of our individual and organizational supporters more broadly, generating excitement and piquing interest from those who have yet had the opportunity to join in. The Starr Science Building, constructed in 1967, consists of several teaching and research laboratories, large and
rock solid & READY.
THE CAMPAIGN FOR ROCKFORD UNIVERSITY
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small lecture halls, and a suite of five primary classrooms, with each of those primary classrooms seating up to 30 students. A $200,000 pledge from Woodward Charitable Trust goes directly to support the project’s $1.2 million price tag to revive those spaces, integrating technology that is responsive and supports current industry standards, as well as helping us acquire select scientific equipment for laboratories. To date, just more than $525,000 has been secured specific to the project. Another recent gift with sentimental ties to RU’s history came from the Vera Maureen Fisher (RC ’31) Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois’ (CFNIL) Community Grants Program. The $22,200 grant directly meets our need to secure science equipment. Fisher Memorial Chapel bears Miss Fisher’s family name, with her father, Arthur Fisher, as benefactor. Rockford University President Dr. Fulcomer explains, “Enrollments and interest in the sciences at Rockford University are growing, and nationally, these fields are projected to continue that trajectory. In order to meet this demand and appropriately prepare students for careers in these dynamic disciplines, modernizations to our teaching spaces are needed. We are extremely grateful for these generous gifts from Woodward Charitable Trust and CFNIL, along with others.” The Smith Charitable Foundation has awarded the University $50,000. The two-year grant will not only support Starr Science Center modernizations, but also the construction of the new Athletic and Event Center. The Foundation, an organization grounded in Rockford, whose family has long been intimately connected to the University’s efforts in making the community a better place, applauds our efforts. Final plans for the Athletic and Event Center will be executed once all dedicated funds are in hand. Rock Solid and Ready – The Campaign for Rockford University concludes in 2018. More information about the University’s ongoing progress and how you can engage in our success can be found at http://ready.rockford.university/. We hope you reach out and respond when contacted to provide support for this vital project.