Private dollars more important than ever
By Melissa Rake

With the uncertain nature of state funding for higher education, colleges and universities continuously rely on private dollars to meet their goals. So when Ohio University’s Third Century Campaign ended in 1993, administrators immediately began thinking about funding for the 21st century.

“When a campaign is over, it doesn’t mean we’re finished,” says Assistant Vice President for Development Glen Kerkian. “We still need money to keep improving the University. We never stop needing private dollars.”

The Third Century Campaign, which ran from 1988 to 1993, provided the University with $132.7 million to bolster academic, cultural, athletic and recreational programs.

The new Bicentennial Campaign, publicly announced Nov. 11, is upping the ante. The goal is to raise more than $200 million by the University’s 200th anniversary in 2004. The end result: the ability to lure top-quality students and faculty, improve technology, expand or create more ground-breaking programs and build new facilities.

“We began planning this campaign three years ago, and it’s allowed people to dream and think of ways in which you make a very good university even more distinguished,” says Vice President for University Advancement Leonard Raley.

Campaigns can create momentum and spirit among alumni and members of the university community, a reality that’s quite different from a campaign’s usual public image.

“People think it’s an uncomfortable experience for potential donors, that there’s a lot of angst and extreme pressure,” Kerkian says. “But I think a campaign brings out all the good and special things about a university. Campaign times often are the more interesting and dynamic times.”

Much of the money raised will be placed in the University’s endowment, a savings account of sorts that is invested in a variety of stocks, bonds and liquid assets. The investment earnings, which are tax exempt, are used to support campaign projects.