University of Dubuque Achieving the Dream Campaign Surpasses Goal
Oct 9, 2014 | UD News
University President Jeffrey F. Bullock today announced that the University of Dubuque has crossed the $100 million dollar mark in the Achieving the Dream campaign, which began on January 1, 2009. The campaign, scheduled to end December 31, 2015, has achieved its goal fifteen months ahead of schedule.
The Achieving the Dream campaignbegan on the heels of the most successful campaign in the University’s History – Forever Better: Ensuring the Mission. The largest capital campaign in its 156-year history, the University’s $125 million Forever Better campaign goal was exceeded by $3 million, bringing the total funds raised to more than $128 million.
Today, with more than fifteen months left in the Achieving the Dream campaign, and having exceeded the goal, the University will move forward with a stretch goal with two main foci:
- Renovation of historic buildings including Peters Commons, Severance Hall, Van Vliet Hall, Alumni Hall, along with technological improvements to Blades Hall; and
- Endowment for student scholarships.
“The renovation of our most historic campus buildings is more than just preservation and beautification – it is an important reminder of our humble beginnings, our history, and our educational legacy,” stated University President Jeffrey F. Bullock. “Peters Commons, Severance Hall, Van Vliet Hall, Alumni Hall, and Blades Hall hold the memories of all who have passed through their doorways during their formative college years.”
Capital projects completed during the Achieving the Dream campaign include: Marge Kremer Little Spartans Childcare Center, Heritage Center, Veterans Memorial Training Center, Chlapaty Hall, and artificial turf for Oyen Soccer Field.
The educational program of the University was strengthened with the creation of endowed academic chairs: the Hazel Rothlisberger Chair in Mathematics, the Dorothy Taylor Chair in Chemistry in the undergraduate college and the Chlapaty Research Chair in Church Renewal in the seminary, in addition to over $23 million being raised in support of student scholarships.
A priority of the Campaign has been in growing the University’s endowment, which is the primary source of financial aid and scholarship assistance for students. The University’s endowment has grown from $16 million in 1998, to nearly $98 million by September 2014, providing a strong financial base for further growth. While modest in comparison to other leading institutions in the United States, the University’s near-term endowment goal of $150 million is a major, essential mile marker on the road to long-term financial health and vitality.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to trustees, alumni/ae, and friends of the University who have shown such strong support for the University during the Achieving the Dream campaign,” stated University President Jeffrey F. Bullock. “Since the adoption of the University’s Mission in 1998, the entire University community has exerted tremendous effort to move the University forward. The Mission, Vision, Action Planhas been our guide, yet we know that we have much to do as we continue the process of becoming the place which our Mission invites us to be. A significant thrust of this Mission is the development of even more substantial scholarship support of our current students, and those who have yet to call UD home. Scholarship support is a critical element in helping to make the dream of a college education possible for students and their families.”
