Shenandoah University Exceeds $65 Million Goal and Closes Spirit of Shenandoah Comprehensive Campaign
Campaign Chairman James R. Wilkins, Jr. announced the successful completion of the Spirit of Shenandoah comprehensive campaign today during a meeting of the university's executive committee of the board of trustees.
The Brandt Student Center, pictured above, is one of the many capital improvements accomplished by the Spirit of Shenandoah comprehensive campaign.
Despite the global economic downturn, Shenandoah University exceeded its $65 million goal on schedule with $65,126,428 committed. "The accomplishments of the Spirit of Shenandoah campaign are a testament to the commitment of the faculty and staff, the strength of our student body and the warmth and generosity of our alumni and friends," said Wilkins. "I am excited by the many new donors who have been motivated to make their first gifts to the university through this campaign and impressed by those who have created a lasting legacy at SU through their inspirational gifts."
When the public phase of the campaign was launched in October 2006, the university had already raised $45.6 million during a three-year quiet phase of the campaign. Led by Wilkins and Vice Chairman Harry Smith, the university enlisted the assistance of more than 130 volunteers to raise funds that have already allowed for the completion of a variety of capital projects in addition to significantly increasing the endowment.
"This campaign is by far the largest fund-raising effort the university or any organization in the northern Shenandoah Valley has ever tackled," said Wilkins. "The success of this campaign and the generosity of the people that made it possible have provided Shenandoah University with the funds it needs to be able to continue to shape every aspect of the region, from education to health care; from business to culture."
"The accomplishments of the Spirit of Shenandoah campaign are a testament to the commitment of the faculty and staff, the strength of our student body and the warmth and generosity of our alumni and friends."
-Spirit of Shenandoah campaign Chairman, James R. Wilkins, Jr.
Capital improvements made possible by the campaign include:
- Brandt Student Center, a 40,000-square-foot facility, opened in 2008. A three-level parking garage, to accommodate a growing student population, was completed in 2006. Halpin-Harrison Hall, the new 60,000-square-foot home of the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business, welcomed students on the first day of the spring semester in January 2008.
- Davis Hall, named for James A. Davis upon his retirement as president, the home of the Shenandoah University History & Tourism Center and History Department, the Winchester-Frederick County Visitors Center and the Civil War Orientation Center for the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, was dedicated in May 2008.
- The Vickers Communication Center, home of the Shenandoah University Television and ABC affiliate TV3 Winchester, opened in March 2007.
- The Kathryn Perry-Werner End-Zone Building at SU’s Shentel Stadium was dedicated at the beginning of the 2006 football season. In June 2008, the playing field at Shentel Stadium was converted to a pro-style artificial turf in-fill system, which covers more than 93,000 square feet.
Adding to the university’s endowment was also a key priority of the campaign, providing funds for student scholarships, faculty chairs and academic support. According to Smith, a robust endowment will continue to make Shenandoah University more affordable and academically competitive while improving its ability to attract high-achieving students and senior-level faculty.
Shenandoah University’s total endowment consists of 250 separate endowments. Of that number, 70 new endowments are a result of the campaign. "A strong endowment is what makes an education possible for the 85 percent of students who receive financial aid. It also attracts top-quality students and faculty and provides for opportunities in research and academic programs. All of these factors contribute to Shenandoah’s ability to continue to gain national prominence in the higher education arena," said Smith.
The campaign total also includes more than $30 million in unrestricted and restricted operating funds for the university.
President Tracy Fitzsimmons inherited a campaign that had just over $6 million left to raise when she officially took office on July 1, 2008. She personally made hundreds of calls in support of the campaign to ensure its success.
"The Spirit of Shenandoah campaign may have come to a close, but the spirits of those dedicated to moving Shenandoah University forward and toward new levels of excellence will continue to flourish as we collaborate to build stronger relationships and explore new directions," said Fitzsimmons.