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Dr.
Livingston Alexander, president of the University of Pittsburgh at
Bradford, announces that the university raised $19,990,232
in the 50 and Beyond Capital Campaign, surpassing its original
goal by more than $2 million.
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BRADFORD,
PA – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford not only reached its $17.5
million campaign goal -- the most successful fundraising campaign in the
university’s 51-year history – but surpassed it by more than $2 million.
Dr.
Livingston Alexander, Pitt-Bradford’s president, made that surprise
announcement Friday afternoon during a Campaign Victory Celebration to mark the
completion of the 50 and Beyond Capital Campaign.
In
the weeks and months leading up to Friday’s celebration, and during nearly all
of the day’s formal program, audience members thought they were celebrating
Pitt-Bradford’s successfully reaching its campaign goal of $17.5 million.
It
wasn’t until the end of the event’s program when Alexander made the
announcement: “I am thrilled to announce the total amount raised in the 50 and
Beyond Capital Campaign was $19,990,232. Many, many thanks to our donors and
everyone who had a hand in this milestone accomplishment.”
Alexander’s
announcement was met by thunderous applause and cheers from the 350
people who attended the celebratory event in Bromeley Family Theater in
Blaisdell Hall, including faculty and staff, students, alumni, donors, and
dignitaries from the University of Pittsburgh.
However,
Alexander stressed in his remarks at the beginning of the program that the
university’s overwhelming fundraising success was due to the efforts of many
compassionate and hardworking people to whom he expressed his gratitude.
“No
institution can come this far and achieve so much without the help and support
of many people,” Alexander said. “Very clearly, a lot of people made it
possible for us to reach the great milestone we are celebrating today.”
First
on his list to be recognized were Pitt-Bradford’s students who “arouse an eager
desire in our supporters and alumni to embrace you when you enroll, send money
to help you through difficult times and cheer for you when you achieve
success.”
Alexander
also thanked the faculty and staff for their contributions that came in many
forms, including financial, and the university’s many donors. “I can’t imagine
what the campus might look like if we didn’t have friends and supporters who
believe in our mission ... and give of their time, talent and treasure to ensure
we advance our shared vision. Our future will be bright and exciting because of
you.”
Alexander
wasn’t the only one on Friday expressing gratitude. Campaign co-chairmen
Greg Booth, president and chief executive officer of Zippo Manufacturing Co.,
and Harvey Golubock, president of ARG Resources and CEO of Terra Green Energy,
also offered their appreciation.
Booth
said he remembered the airport that previously occupied the land upon which
campus now sits, adding, “Over the years, look at what we’ve built here in
Bradford. I think it’s phenomenal. ... It says a lot about our community, the
people who are committed to a point where they continue to fund this enterprise
and make it as successful as it is today.”
Golubock
praised the philanthropic spirit of the campaign’s supporters. “Your
philanthropy has touched the lives of so many young people by providing them
with an opportunity for an education that they would otherwise not have had. It
is on their behalf that I say ‘thank you.’”
Also
offering brief remarks were Betsy Matz, associate professor of business
management, and Bob Dilks, director of transfer and nontraditional student
recruitment, who served as co-chairman of the faculty/staff campaign to which
59 percent of Pitt-Bradford’s employees contributed.
Yara
Elbeshbishi, a chemistry major from Montgomery Village, Md., and president of
the Student Government Association, also addressed the group. Elbeshbishi is
one of 3,345 students who received a donor scholarship during the length of the
campaign.
The
campaign, which officially concluded on Dec. 31, 2014, was launched in 2006 to
raise money for scholarships, academic programs, capital projects and specific
endowments. During the campaign, donors contributed $4,312,002 for
scholarships, and 81 new scholarships were created. An anonymous donor
established an alumni matching challenge that attracted 160 new alumni donors, bringing
the total number of donors who contributed to the campaign to 4,041.
Also
during the campaign, several new buildings were built, including three new
residence halls and the Harriett B. Wick Chapel, which added 180,118 more
square feet to the campus; and other facilities were renovated, including
Swarts and Fisher halls and the Kessel Athletic Complex.
An
additional project, the establishment of the Marilyn Horne Museum and Exhibit
in the Seneca Building, is expected to be completed in 2016.
Following
the formal program, Friday’s celebration continued into the KOA Electronics
Lobby, where refreshments were served and student groups entertained, including
a cappella group Basic Pitches, the Diamond Steppers step group, Blue
and Gold Society students who manned a “Minute to Win It” game, and student
disc jockeys from campus radio station WDRQ.
