Leaders for Innovation
Dear Alumni and Friends, Your participation in Michigan Tech's Leaders for Innovation Campaign helped make this effort a resounding success. Please know that everyone involved in the life of the University is extremely grateful for your part in this endeavor. I must admit when President Tompkins asked me to serve as chair of this campaign, the original $100-million goal appeared daunting. However, it soon became apparent that this number would be achieved quickly, so we increased the overall goal by nearly half to $140-million. We raised the bar; you helped us clear it. The success is still hard to imagine. Our thanks to you are heartfelt. On December 31, 2001, we reached our goal eighteen months ahead of schedule. The most ambitious fund raising effort in Michigan Tech's 117-year history closed out at a truly impressive total of $146,160,267. These gifts will pay dividends for years to come--for the University, for our students and alumni, and for the world--as we strive to educate tomorrow's leaders. We had goals for the five objectives of the campaign--faculty enrichment, campus enrichment, student enrichment, innovation, and facilities--and almost all were met and surpassed. The following pages demonstrate this success story with all the pertinent numbers and illustrations. I encourage you to take a minute to read this information so you can share our story of success with others you know who care about Michigan Tech. Your support of the Leaders for Innovation Campaign has been essential. It will have a lasting effect on the future of Michigan Tech and the high quality of education we will be able to provide and sustain. It has been my pleasure and privilege to work with all of you. Thank you for all you have done. We rely on your continued support. Dick Robbins '56 |
The Campaign For Michigan Tech Sets the Standard for Comprehensive Campaigns at MTU!
Michigan Tech's latest capital campaign has set a new standard for the University's efforts to raise private support.
Leaders for Innovation raised 46 percent more than its original goal, concluded a year earlier than planned, and saw more people than ever before give more support than ever before.
The campaign was not only a success--but also an assurance--because leaders expect that strong support of the institution will continue.
In all, Leaders for Innovation raised $146 million in gifts and pledges--an achievement unparalleled in the history of the institution's fund raising.
The success stories in this endeavor are many, but one statistic is telltale: More than 17,000 alumni (35.7 percent of the total current alumni) contributed. They were joined by staff, faculty, friends, and campaign leadership--all of whom contributed generously.
In hindsight, signs of success in the campaign were evident early on. By the time the campaign was officially announced in February 2000, donors had already committed more the $75.3 million. Less than two years later, that amount was nearly doubled.
The campaign consisted of five major objectives--facilities, student enrichment, campus enrichment, faculty enrichment, and innovation.
Here's a look at each of these objectives and some of the accomplishments realized.
Campaign Fast Facts:
| Total Goal | $140,000,000 |
| Total raised | $146,160,267 |
| Overall goal exceeded by 4% | |
| Total alumni donors | 17,278 |
| Total alumni participation | 35.7 % |
| Total friend donors | 3,820 |
| First-time alumni donors | 4,296 |
| First-time friend donors | 3,290 |
With an overall goal of $140 million being met on December 31, 2001, the Campaign was able to wrap up early. The Campaign consisted of five major objectives: student enrichment, facilities, campus enrichment, faculty enrichment, and innovation. Here's a quick look at each of these objectives, and some of the accomplishments that were realized as the result of the Campaign effort:
Facilities
Several new buildings, and additions to existing buildings, were completed. Construction and dedications took place for the Rozsa Center for the Performing Art, the Dow Chemical Sciences & Engineering Building, the Forestry Building addition, and the Peter J. Grant Hockey Educational Center. In addition, major improvements were made at Tech's ski hill - Mont Ripley. Funding was also secured for future facilities, including the Center for Integrated Learning and Information Technology Building and the new Seaman Mineral Museum.
Faculty enrichment
Alumni established several endowed chairs and professorships. Benefiting from this support are the School of Business and Economics and the Departments of Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics. Several supporters established departmental funds to enhance both existing and innovative teaching programs.
Student Enrichment
The majority of the support for this objective was received for student scholarships - both new and existing scholarship funds. In addition, special student classes/programs such as the Applied Portfolio Management Program and the Engineering Enterprise Program were established. Established University departments and programs including the Career Center and several student athletic programs also benefited from increased donor support.
Innovation
Several student laboratories and study facilities were established and/or renovated during the Campaign. The Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics department was able to create a new Student Innovation Complex along with four undergraduate laboratories. The Sam Tidwell Student Excellence Center was established in the School of Business & Economics to provide valuable computer equipment and group study space for students. A student computer laboratory was completely renovated and equipped in the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department.
Campus Enrichment
Student organizations and student project teams received crucial funding through the establishment of the Tech Parents Annual Fund. The Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts formed a new annual support program called Friends of the Rozsa to assist with costs associated with events held at the Center. The J.R. Van Pelt Library and the forestry department's Alberta facility received support for their operations.