Spring 2007

Campaign Update

Campaign past half-way point and still climbing

Alumni and friends of Miami University, working in conjunction with campaign staff, continue to exceed expectations. After announcing an increased goal in September 2006, the campaign staff is once again pleased to announce The Miami University Campaign For Love and Honor is more than halfway to its goal of $500 million.

In the first quarter of 2007, the division of university advancement received several large gifts for a combined total of $15.2 million. In January, Miami secured $7.1 million in gifts and pledges. During February, an additional $5.6 million was committed. And March saw an increase of $2.5 million to the campaign total.

Included in the record-breaking quarter are gifts from Jack R. and Rose Marie Anderson, Jim and Amy Chapman, Vanguard Charitable Endowment, Mary Louise Schroth, and others.
"Miami University is fortunate to be the recipient of several leadership gifts this winter," said Jayne Whitehead, vice president of university advancement. "Gifts of this nature indicate a strong commitment to the university and faith in its strategic plan. We should all be proud of what they represent."

Miami has begun a new initiative to substantially increase its number of endowed professorships and chairs, with a goal of 100 by the end of the campaign. Endowments for professorships ordinarily require a minimum commitment of $400,000, but under this new program, those who commit $300,000 will receive a $100,000 match from the university, using unrestricted gift money. Two Miami families have already accepted this new challenge: Jim and Beth Lewis of New York and Terry and Kathy O'Toole of San Francisco.

The Campus campaign continues to show much success. Current and former faculty and staff members have contributed over $5.4 million to Miami during the campaign, to-date. The university also recently announced a new program where current and retired employees can create a named endowment for students at a lower level of $10,000, which Miami will match with an additional $5,000. Many faculty and staff members have already taken advantage of this new program.

As the university looks toward its bicentennial in 2009, the campaign staff is planning its strategy for the Alumni National campaign. Central to this large-scale effort is the participation in the campaign of each and every member of the Miami community: alumni, parents, faculty/staff, and friends.

As of March 31, the campaign total had reached $264 million. A running campaign total is online at www.forloveandhonor.org, and updated daily. Articles featuring new gift commitments, campaign construction, Miami updates and more are posted to the website.