Barron named associate dean of academic records
Inside Furman is published monthly during the school year by the Furman University Department of Marketing and Public Relations. For story ideas, e-mail John Roberts, editor.
Mission accomplished
By all accounts, the Forever Furman campaign was a massive undertaking - and a resounding success.
Initially conceived as a $125 million drive, Forever Furman received such enthusiastic response during its three-year "quiet phase" (spring 1996 to spring 1999) that by the time the university went public with its plans in April 1999, the campaign leadership and board of trustees had raised the goal to $150 million. Midway through the public effort, the goal was increased once again, this time to $175 million.
By the time the campaign officially ended on December 31, 2002, its list of accomplishments included:
o A total of $200.5 million in pledges and contributions from 33,000 individuals - 18,000 alumni and 15,000 parents and friends - and 2,000 corporations and foundations.
o Additions of more than $33 million to Furman's endowment, which as of December 31 totaled $208.5 million, and another $72 million in estate plans, most of which will enhance the endowment once they mature.
o Almost $16 million for new endowed scholarships, and millions more to enhance existing scholarship programs.
o $37 million in annual giving over the campaign's six-year run. o Four new academic facilities (John E. Johns Hall, Herman N. Hipp Hall, Nan Trammell Herring Music Pavilion, Bryan Center for Military Science), the expansion and renovation of the James B. Duke Library, and three new athletic facilities (Timmons Arena, Irwin Belk Complex for Track and Field, REK Center for Intercollegiate Golf).
o Contributions totaling $52.9 million from the board of trustees, $2.3 million from the Alumni Association Board of Directors and $26 million from the Advisory Council.
o Gifts of at least $1 million from 45 donors who provided major endowments and new facilities. Benefactors Circle at Cherrydale will recognize donors at this historic level.
While Forever Furman funded a wide range of construction projects and the development of a variety of new programs, the heart of the campaign was the Furman Fund, which provides ongoing support for the university's daily operations.
During the course of Forever Furman, 18,000 of 22,000 alumni of record, or 81 percent, made donations, for a total of $37 million. In 1998, alumni achieved 50 percent participation in the Furman Fund for the first time, and they have reached that goal for five consecutive years.
Similarly, faculty and staff demonstrated their commitment by contributing in record numbers, surpassing their previous marks by more than 17 percentage points.
Leighan Rinker, chair of the university's board of trustees, says the extraordinary success of the campaign is the direct result of the dedication and commitment demonstrated by thousands of university supporters.
And she invokes Vince Lombardi, the legendary football coach, in assessing Forever Furman.
"Coach Lombardi said, 'Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.' His words could describe the campaign, which was an unparalleled success because of the commitment of thousands of individuals . . . alumni, faculty, staff and friends of Furman."