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Communication Associate: Public Relations | Lori Melton | lmelton@d.umn.edu | (218) 726-8830
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October 8, 1999
Susan Beasy Latto, Director of Public Relations 218 726-8830
William Wade, Director of University Relations and Development 218 726-8831


UMD Announces $28 Million Capital Campaign

$15 Million Already Pledged

$10 Million Gift from Swenson Family Foundation Leads Campaign Kick-Off


UMD launched the largest Capital Fund Raising Campaign in its history at a news conference today in the Kirby Student Center Ballroom. A goal of $28 million was announced by UMD Chancellor Kathryn A. Martin and Campaign Chair Mitchell J. Sill, a UMD graduate, community leader and CEO of Aspen Companies. Lead gifts totaling $15 million toward this goal have already been pledged.

The largest single gift ever given to UMD, $10 million in prescribed programs and projects, pledged by the Swenson Family Foundation, was announced by Chancellor Martin. She introduced Jim Swenson, a 1959 graduate of UMD, and a director of the Swenson Family Foundation. "We are enormously grateful to the Swenson Family Foundation for this very generous gift, a gift that will catapult us into the 21st century," Martin said. (See additional release for biography of Swenson.)

The Swenson gift includes $2.5 million in continued commitment to science student scholarships and undergraduate chemistry research programs, and a pledge of $7.5 million toward the building of a new Laboratory Science Building on the UMD campus. The proposed building is subject to the approval of the 2000 state legislature, and greatly strengthens UMD's commitment to the new facility.

In addition to the Swenson gift, Campaign Chair Sill announced other significant benefactors. "Their strong belief in and commitment to UMD ensure its continued growth and leadership as an outstanding regional university," he said, as he introduced major contributors Ron and Mary Ann Weber, Al France, Kirk Tingblad and Joan Balcome, the Ben and Jeanne Overman Charitable Trust, and the Eddy Family Foundation.

Martin outlined the goals of the four-year campaign. "The campaign is critical to raising the resources to achieve the university's vision and to enable it to take advantage of an unparalleled time in higher education," she said. "The institutions which prosper and continue to serve the needs of their constituents will be those who view current demographic, economic, and societal changes as opportunities for institutional growth. UMD is such an institution. Not only can we meet the challenges before us, but in so doing we can become the best regional university in the United States."

SUMMARY
UMD CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

1. ENDOWMENT
	$13.5 million
	Academic                    $ 9.5
	Scholarships                $ 3.0
	Programs                    $ 1.0
	
2. ENHANCEMENT EXISTING FACILITIES 
	$2.35 million
	School of Fine Arts         $ 1.5
	College of Education &
	Human Service Professions   $  .2
	College of Science 
	& Engineering               $  .45
	Athletics                   $  .2

3. TECHNOLOGY
	$4.7 million
	Academic                    $ 2.3
	Institutional               $  .2
	Library                     $ 2.2
	
4. INSTITUTIONAL GROWTH
	$7.45 million
	Annual Scholarships         $ 3.5
	Chancellor's Scholarships   $  .4
	University College          $  .1
	Other                       $ 3.45

TOTAL CAMPAIGN GOAL
$28 million


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