Pitt-Bradford raises $19 million in campaign

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.

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.