The University of Louisville has met and exceeded its $1 billion capital campaign goal with three months remaining in the effort. The donations are funding student scholarships, faculty excellence, research and new facilities.
鈥淭his record-breaking campaign is impacting our students and our community in so many ways,鈥 said UofL President James Ramsey. 鈥淲e鈥檙e thankful to our donors who believe in UofL and the way they鈥檝e stepped up to keep us on our upward trajectory in academics, research and athletics.
At a news conference and celebration today, Ramsey announced that more than 75,000 donors contributed to the Charting Our Course campaign which began in 2007. UofL achieved the $1 billion milestone faster than any other Kentucky college and is among just 52 public universities in the United States to undertake a $1 billion campaign, according to Keith Inman, vice president for university advancement.
UofL Board of Trustees Chair Robert Hughes praised the university鈥檚 efforts. 鈥淭his has been an extraordinary campaign by faculty, staff and Dr. Ramsey鈥檚 team to keep moving UofL forward in difficult financial times,鈥 Hughes said.
Four out of five UofL undergraduate students receive scholarships or grants, mostly funded by philanthropy. The school鈥檚 groundbreaking research in cancer, stem cells, anti-rejection therapies, spinal injuries and other specialties, as well as 17 new endowed chairs, are also funded, in large part, by gifts. UofL also upgraded its campus facilities with gifts from donors.
鈥淚鈥檓 grateful to those who are making it possible for me to live my dream,鈥 said Lashawn Ford, a UofL senior who received a Cardinal Covenant scholarship. 鈥淭he scholarship money I received made it possible to focus on academics and fully participate in the college experience without worrying about my finances.鈥 聽
While celebrating the milestone, Inman said, UofL will keep pushing the campaign fundraising effort until it closes June 30.聽 鈥淭here are too many unmet needs of students, faculty, staff and the community to stop now,鈥 Inman said.
