UMD Hits Milestone $900 Million Mark In Fundraising Campaign

\r\nCOLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland has surpassed the $900 million mark in its Great Expectations fundraising campaign, following a surge of gifts in the first half of the academic year.
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\r\nMore than $56 million in gifts and pledges were secured since July 1, and the grand total for the campaign now exceeds $907 million, placing the effort ahead of schedule to reach the $1 billion goal by the end of December 2012. It is the largest fundraising drive ever undertaken by a public institution in the Washington, D.C/Baltimore region.

\r\n"There is tremendous momentum building as we approach the home stretch of this bold campaign," said university President Wallace D. Loh. "I applaud our University of Maryland College Park Foundation Board of Trustees and our campaign leadership for their dedication to achieving our goal, and I thank all of the donors - more than 118,000 to date - who have partnered with us."
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\r\nThe University of Maryland College Park Foundation has played an important role in the campaign, providing strategic management and oversight. "Our team of volunteers and campus leaders have brought prestige and influence to our fundraising efforts," said Alma Gildenhorn, co-chair of Great Expectations. "Dr. Loh's visionary leadership and energy in the last year have given this campaign the boost it needs in its final stages. We are grateful for his continuous inspiration and unwavering support."
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\r\nRecent major gifts include a $10 million contribution from Baltimore real estate developer and philanthropist Edward St. John for the creation of a high-tech classroom building and a $1 million pledge from the family of the late Washington Post columnist Shirley Povich to create a sports journalism center at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism. Other large gifts have been made in support of Israel Studies, Physics, and science education.
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\r\n"The fact that more than 118,000 individuals, companies, and foundations have contributed to Great Expectations underscores how a great university can instill pride and allegiance far and wide. Gifts have come from alumni in Bangkok and from thousands of faculty, staff, and students right here on campus," Loh observed.

\r\nThe President added, "I also wish to thank my predecessor, Dan Mote, for his leadership during much of Great Expectations. I am delighted to be able to build on his great work and, together with the Board of Trustees, University Relations staff, and the deans and other campus leaders, to drive this campaign to a successful conclusion.
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\r\nMore than $300 million has been raised in support of scholarships and other programs directly benefitting students. The "Keep Me Maryland" emergency assistance fund has attracted some 2,000 donors.
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\r\nA number of schools, colleges, and programs have exceeded their goals and continue to secure gifts. The A. James Clark School of Engineering ($213 million), Athletics ($139 million), and the Robert H. Smith School of Business ($103 million) have raised the most funds.

\r\nThose units that have exceeded their goals by the largest margins include Agriculture and Natural Resources (204 percent of goal), the University Libraries (175 percent), Student Affairs (117 percent), Engineering (115 percent), the School of Business (114 percent) the School of Public Policy (110 percent), the College of Arts and Humanities (110 percent), and the School of Public Health (109 percent).
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\r\nIndividuals, both alumni and non-alumni, have collectively contributed $416 million, or 46 percent of the campaign total. Corporations have added $250 million, charitable foundations and support organizations $215 million, and other entities $26 million.
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\r\nMore than 4,000 students have contributed an impressive $640,000 to the campaign.
\r\nFor more information, visit giving.umd.edu.
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\r\nMedia Contact
\r\nMillree Williams
\r\nUMD Public Affairs
\r\n301-405-4621
\r\nmillree@umd.edu