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WESTCOTT GATE (PHOTO: BILL LAX/FSU PHOTO LAB)
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FSU CONNECT Campaign concludes at $630 million
BY RENELL FRANKLIN
Established five years ago to make a difference in the academic culture of Florida State University, the FSU CONNECT Campaign has concluded, raising more than $630 million to support the university, FSU President T.K. Wetherell announced.
"Throughout the campaign we stressed the most basic fact: Private giving is the margin between existence and excellence for this institution," Wetherell said. "Private giving allows us to provide the kind of support that attracts the nation's top faculty and students to Florida State."
In October 2001, FSU announced the public phase of its most significant capital campaign to date to provide resources for eminent scholar chairs, professorships, building improvements, technology updates, undergraduate scholarships, graduate fellowships and lectureships.
"This campaign raised the threshold of giving at Florida State," said Marilyn Spores, interim president of the FSU Foundation. "This type of commitment by our donors manifests their belief in the work that is being done here at the university."
The FSU CONNECT Campaign is the second within a nine-year span that the university has undertaken to support students, faculty and programs. In 1996, FSU concluded its first capital campaign, "Investment in Learning," which raised about $300 million.
"That campaign was the catalyst for major gift support and connecting the university with its donors," Spores said.
The majority of donors who support FSU began their long-term relationship during the CONNECT Campaign. Of the more than 71,000 who gave, 45 percent were alumni and 55 percent were friends, foundations, parents and corporations.
Through the leadership of the FSU Foundation's Board of Trustees and the efforts of university deans and foundation staff, the funds raised from the campaign will influence the university for years to come, Spores said.
While the FSU Foundation managed the FSU CONNECT Campaign, the Seminole Boosters and FSU Research Foundation each played important fund-raising roles. Of the $630 million raised, the FSU Foundation raised $437.4 million, the Seminole Boosters raised $172.8 million and the FSU Research Foundation raised $18.4 million.
Spores said about 72 percent of funds raised by the FSU Foundation will influence academics, faculty, staff and students as follows:
• General academic support, 37 percent
•Student financial aid, 24.3 percent
• Faculty and staff, 11.3 percent
Additional funds will be used for facilities, research, libraries, public services and athletics.
The Florida State University Foundation Inc. enhances the academic vision and priorities of FSU through its organized fund-raising activities and funds management. The foundation, a non-profit corporation established in 1960, is governed by an elected Board of Trustees, whose members serve as advocates for the university, its colleges, schools and programs.
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