Upper Iowa University launches "Transforming UIU," The $25 million first-ever comprehensive capital campaign
FAYETTE, Iowa (May 25, 2011) – Upper Iowa University (UIU) President Alan G. Walker has announced that UIU is entering the public phase of its first-ever capital campaign, “Transforming UIU.” Walker said the goal of the 10-year initiative is $25 million.
“This University has been built upon transformational moments, and we have been on an ascending path for several years, with significant changes already visible. At a time when many other universities are still reeling from the effects of the greatest economic downturn since the Great Depression, UIU is seeing record growth in enrollment in Fayette, at our U.S. centers, and international centers. We are opening new centers, adding faculty, and building our academic reputation at a time when other institutions of higher education have no choice but to cut back,” Walker said. “Today, we have reached another historic moment. We are embarking on a campaign to transform Upper Iowa University and shape our future. The commitments that we make today will positively impact the lives of our students, our graduates, our communities and our world.”
Walker noted that the outcomes of the campaign will include academic, residential and athletic facility upgrades; funding for academic programs; enhanced living environments for students; and expanded scholarship availability enterprise-wide.
“We are in very good financial health as a University, and we believe this campaign will help us sustain that good health by increasing our attractiveness to future students, faculty and staff; growing our endowment; and even reducing our dependence on tuition,” Walker added. “This campaign will also help us move forward with the next phase of the largest construction campaign in UIU history culminating in over $100 million in infrastructure improvements.”
Wendell Snodgrass, UIU vice president for advancement, development and alumni relations, said the capital campaign has been in its silent phase for several years, which has raised nearly $15 million, beginning with gifts that led to construction of the Andres Center for Business and Education and other campus improvements. Since then, other gifts in the silent phase have grown the UIU endowment, built the annual fund, and contributed more than $1 million to special projects. Additional lead gifts will be announced soon.
Snodgrass said the $25 million capital campaign (including the silent phase) is on pace to raise $18.1 million for capital projects, $3.4 million for the endowment, $1.6 million for special projects, and $1.9 million for the UIU annual fund.
“We are very pleased to be able to move into the public phase of the campaign, and we look forward to reaching – or exceeding – our goal and seeing the transformation occur at UIU,” Snodgrass said. “We are very grateful for the hard work and generosity that we have seen throughout the silent phase of the campaign, which provides us with the strong foundation on which we can build as we move forward. We have every confidence in our board, alumni, faculty, staff and other supporters; and we know that our goal is achievable.”
Included in the scope of capital improvements are an e-center, science/math center, football complex and additional residence halls. Special projects include the annual Upper Iowa Business Development grant and funding for the Volga River Bike Trail. Endowed scholarships and endowed professorships are included in the endowment portion of the campaign, Snodgrass said, adding the UIU is open to additional projects as well.
UIU named three alumni as capital campaign co-chairs for the initiative: Betty Andres, who graduated in 1946, and Steve and Diane Harms, who both graduated in 1973.
Andres graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1946 and received an honorary doctorate from UIU during the 2011 commencement. A long-time supporter of the University, Betty and her late husband, Bill, donated the lead gift to build the Andres Center for Business and Education as well as provided the funding and leadership to completely re-landscape the campus. Betty Andres served on the UIU Board for nearly 20 years and is a trustee emerita.
Steve Harms earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education at UIU, and Diane Harms graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. A member of the UIU Board, Steve Harms is president and chairman of the board of Rain and Hail L.L.C. The couple has committed a lead gift to the capital campaign to be announced soon.
“We are very grateful to Betty, Steve, and Diane for once again stepping forward to lead an initiative that will transform this University for generations of students to come. They and many others have come to know what a great investment UIU is,” Walker said. “We are projecting that completing the public phase of this campaign will take up to three years. Many of us feel strongly that it may not take that long to reach $25 million, and we are already talking about the next campaign. I believe we have that potential.”
Capital campaign website: www.uiu.edu/transforminguiu
For more information or to donate online, go to www.uiu.edu.
Contact:
Monica Bayer Heaton
Executive Director of Communications and Marketing
Phone: 563-425-5773
Cell: 515-291-2070
heatonm@uiu.edu
About Upper Iowa University Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs and leadership development opportunities to nearly 6,800 students—nationally and internationally—at its Fayette campus and learning centers worldwide. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and independent study. For more information, visit www.uiu.edu.