Campaign Objectives
Leaders for Innovation: The Campaign for Michigan Tech is an unprecedented effort to secure the infusion of private gifts to supplement state assistance. The Campaign represents the "margin of excellence" required to bring Michigan Tech to the forefront of technological education.
The Campaign will help define the University's mission to prepare students to create the future. It also supports the institutional vision to be a "National University of Choice." Michigan Tech will be a nationally prominent and internationally recognized technological university, which bridges technology and business and will meet the needs of a global and technologically rich society through excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, scholarship, and research.
The goal of the Campaign is to identify and solicit private resources in areas that will enable Michigan Tech to continue to attract the best students, faculty and staff, while providing the greatest flexibility to keep program choices at the cutting edge of higher education in Michigan, the nation, and the world.
Leaders for Innovation: The Campaign for Michigan Tech was announced in February 2000. Because of overwhelming positive response to the Campaign plan, the initial $100 million goal was increased to $140 million. By December 31, 2000, that initial $100 million had been reached, less than one year after the public announcement. More than 30% of Michigan Tech's alumni and friends have responded to the call for support.
The Campaign is expected to occupy the fullest attention of the University and its friends through June 30, 2002. Every alumnus of Michigan Tech will be invited to participate before the Campaign is completed. Support for endowments is the highest priority. Outright gifts, pledges up to five years, deferred gifts, and gifts-in-kind will be accepted by the Michigan Tech Fund.
It is expected that at least 70% of the total contributions will be in the form of outright gifts (cash, pledges, and gifts-in-kind), while up to 30% will be in the form of deferred gifts (bequests, trusts, annuities). All gifts to the campaign are tax deductible within the regulations of the Internal Revenue Service.
Campaign objectives were developed through the leadership of the Board of Control. Jim Mitchell, past Board of Control chair, led administration, faculty, the Michigan Tech Fund Board, and various advisory groups of the Schools and Colleges through the planning. Programs central to the University's strategic plan provided the focus out of which specific campaign galas and objectives have been shaped.
Guiding Principles
Funding priorities align with the following guiding principles articulated by the University's strategic plan and adopted May 19, 2000, by the Michigan Tech Fund Board of Control:
- The success of our students will always be the most important measure of success of the institution.
- Everyone's contributions to our success is needed, and will be valued and rewarded.
- Through collaborative efforts we will serve the people of Michigan, the nation, and the world.
- Hallmarks of this University will be creativity and leadership of our graduates, the relevance and benefits of our research, and the value we place on ethics, sustainability, diversity, and quality of life.
- MTU's faculty will emphasize scholarship, research, and inspirational teaching. Our faculty should be read and respected by leaders of science, industry, government, policy groups, and business.
- Engineering, science, and technology, and the business of technology, will remain the focus of our University. We recognize that success in this focus requires vital programs that contribute to the cultural development, social skills, and well-rounded education of our students.
Areas of Focus
The Campaign's five featured objectives focus on achieving the University mission and supporting the guiding principles. Those objectives and their goal areas include:
Increased Investment in Students – focusing on new endowment funds dedicated to undergraduate and graduate scholarship and other support will enhance accessibility and appeal of the University in the marketplace.
Goal: $35 million
Increased Investment in Faculty – high-quality teaching and learning have been hallmarks of a Michigan Tech education. Funds are sought for endowed chairs to attract and retain the highest quality faculty and other endowments that support faculty development to meet new challenges in the new millennium.
Goal: $30 million
Increased Investment in Innovation and Technology – a technological university requires cutting-edge technology to sustain its national and international reputation. Innovation will guide its future. Immediate funding and endowments are sought for high tech classrooms, laboratories, learning equipment and new computer applications for interdisciplinary programs.
Goal: $35 million
Increased Investment in University Enrichment – funding to meet special needs that either are not funded at all or are only partially funded by the general University budget. Initiatives in athletics, funding for programming special areas and special projects are not specifically identified in other funding categories. Meeting this objective provides the University the greatest flexibility in responding to new opportunities and new challenges as they arise.
Goal: $20 million
Increased Investment in New Facilities and Renovations – Michigan Tech participates in an innovative funding arrangement with the state of Michigan that allows private gifts to supplement those funds the state commits to new construction and renovation. In these cases, the state provides 75 percent of the total, while the University provides 25 percent through private and grant funding. In addition, the changing curricula and ways of teaching require updated facilities, thus creating a requirement for renovation funds.
Goal: $20 million
Campaign Leadership
Curt Tompkins, former President, Michigan Technological University
Richard J. Robbins '56, national campaign chairman, president of the Robbins Group USA, Seattle, Washington
Gary E. Anderson '67, national campaign vice chairman, president and CEO of Dow Corning, Midland, Michigan