Saying he is "energized and excited" by the opportunities ahead, Washington University Board of Trustees Chairman William H. Danforth announced the Campaign for Washington University, a major initiative to raise $1 billion in gift support, to assembled reporters and photographers at a news conference Saturday, Sept. 19.
The same evening, the campaign was formally launched at a special event for more than 1,300 invited guests at the America's Center in downtown St. Louis. Those attending included community leaders, faculty, student leaders, alumni, parents and friends from the St. Louis area, throughout the United States and around the world. (See separate story.)
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The theme of the campaign, "A Partnership for the 21st Century," emphasizes the important relationship between the University and society. "When we improve Washington University, we advance the St. Louis region, the nation and the world through the University's educational, research and service mission," Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton said.
"Building a world-class university is a noble endeavor and an exciting challenge," Wrighton continued. "The great research universities of the world have always been at the forefront of advancing knowledge. They educate men and women who become society's leaders. They help shape the social, cultural, political, economic and scientific landscapes of society. They offer the best chance of contributing to the betterment of our world. The overarching purpose of the Campaign for Washington University is to accelerate our ascent among the world's premier universities."
In announcing the campaign, the Board of Trustees identified the following priorities:
The University joins about a dozen other leading institutions of higher education in the country currently conducting, or that have recently conducted, campaigns with goals of at least $1 billion.
This is the fourth major campaign in the University's history. The Alliance for Washington University, completed in 1987, raised more than $630 million and was the nation's largest campaign of its kind at that time.
"In the decade since the last campaign," Wrighton said, "the research conducted by Washington University's faculty and students has made significant contributions toward solving a wide array of society's ills, from major breakthroughs in the understanding of debilitating and life-threatening diseases to innovative approaches for helping people make a positive transition from welfare to work.
"We will make great strides by improving support for existing programs and encouraging development of new areas of learning and research, including pediatric research, biological sciences, visual arts and design, American culture studies, executive education and biomedical engineering --to mention only a few," Wrighton added.
Gifts and commitments received from private sources between July 1, 1995, and June 30, 2004, will count toward the campaign. Of the $541 million already received or committed toward the goal, the largest single commitment is $100 million received from the Danforth Foundation in November 1997.
Calling the goal of $1 billion a realistic challenge, Fox expressed faith in the University community. "Washington University cannot do everything, but everything it does must be excellent," Fox said. "The Campaign for Washington University is a campaign for excellence."
McDonnell said: "Thousands of alumni and friends care deeply about this University. They recognize what it does for the betterment of society." Of the campaign's success so far, he added, "people have been more enthusiastic and more generous than we could possibly have anticipated."
The Campaign for Washington University is the result of three years of strategic planning in Project 21, an initiative designed to ensure the University's leadership in serving society into the next century. Input from hundreds of faculty, alumni, trustees, staff, and national and local academic and corporate leaders led to the decision to embark on the campaign.
