Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
February 17, 2004
U of G celebrates $87-million campaign
The University of Guelph today celebrated the finale of its highly successful “The Science of Life, the Art of Living” campaign, which exceeded its $75-million goal and raised $87 million.
“This was the most ambitious fundraising campaign in the university’s history,” Tony Arrell, vice-chair of the campaign, told a crowd of faculty, staff, students, retirees, alumni and volunteers gathered in Rozanski Hall for a special event. “We are announcing publicly today for the first time that we have surpassed our goal by 16 per cent, more than $12 million.”
The five-year campaign involved the entire campus community, said president Alastair Summerlee. “We set our sights high, determined to strengthen our resources for teaching and research, support our students and build and expand our facilities. It was a significant undertaking that engaged us all. But the end result is unprecedented private and public investments that will provide us with a base of support from which to grow and thrive.”
Summerlee added: “Not only is it impressive that we raised $87 million in private support, but during the course of the campaign, we also generated more than $233 million in public investments. We will all gain from the projects that were created, expanded or revitalized through the campaign.”
Among the initiatives that benefited from campaign support are new scholarships and bursaries, including the Lincoln Alexander Chancellor’s Scholarships and the student-funded Central Student Association Opportunity Trust, the establishment of a chair in Scottish studies and a chair in families and work, the library Learning Commons, Rozanski Hall and the new science complex, and the expansion of the kitchen and teaching restaurant in the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.
One of the unique features of the campaign was the involvement of students. Students gave nearly $2 million towards two projects that will benefit learners for years to come: the Gryphon Dome and the new undergraduate bursary program that assists students who need support but are ineligible for traditional forms of financial aid.
“We have a lot to celebrate and a great deal to be proud of,” said Arrell. “It is because you are such a determined and focused community of researchers, scholars, students and alumni that the University of Guelph has achieved the outstanding reputation that it enjoys today.”
Summerlee and Arrell hosted today’s celebration to thank the campus community for its support. In particular, they recognized former president Mordechai Rozanski, who launched the campaign, Chancellor Lincoln Alexander, an honorary patron of the campaign, and members of the campaign cabinet and volunteer team. Rozanski sent his congratulations to today’s celebration participants via a live video teleconferencing link from Rider University in New Jersey, where he serves as president. Staff in the Department of Alumni Affairs and Development were also recognized for their support during the campaign.
“The campaign has opened more doors than we imagined in terms of new and prospective supporters of this university and new and important projects,” Summerlee said. “Our campaign slogan, ‘The Science of Life, The Art of Living,’ has come to epitomize the goals and practices of the university. It is the success of the campaign and its impact that we celebrate today.”
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 53338, or Rachelle Cooper, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982.
