Grand Valley fittingly concluded its golden anniversary year June 8
with an announcement that will provide the university with momentum
well into the next 50 years.
University and community leaders said Shaping Our
Future, Grand Valley's first comprehensive campaign, greatly
surpassed original goals and raised $95.3 million to date. A record
number of donors, 17,000, contributed to the campaign.
Shaping Our Future was launched in 2007 and officially
concludes June 30, 2011. Gifts to the comprehensive campaign have
helped fund the Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information
Commons, the L. William Seidman Center and other capital projects,
academic programs, centers and endowed chairs; and more than 90 new
private scholarships. The original goal was $50 million, then
stretched to $75 million.
The announcement was made at the annual Enrichment Dinner,
hosted by the Grand Valley University Foundation and held at DeVos
Place in Grand Rapids.
President Thomas J. Haas said, "The generous support for
Grand Valley will positively impact many areas of the university, and
have a broad economic impact for West Michigan.
"Shaping Our Future touches so many areas of Grand Valley
but most importantly more students will be able to reach their full
potential. We will be able to attract a broader range of students to
West Michigan and as graduates they will be our future leaders in
their communities and vocations."
For more information, visit www.gvsu.edu/giving/sof.
Click here to watch a
short video of the announcement.
DOWNLOADABLE AUDIO
* President Haas said the campaign was so successful they decided to stretch the goal (audio).
* President Haas said he is overwhelmed by a record number of donors to the campaign (audio).
* President Haas said the success of the campaign speaks to the vision of GVSU founder Bill Seidman (audio).
* President Haas said the campaign is all about the students (audio).
* Jim Brooks, campaign co-chair, said this level of support will provide scholarships and world-class programs (audio).
* Brooks said the Enrichment Dinner celebrates those who support Grand Valley and the vision of Bill Seidman (audio).
