Financial gifts to The University of Akron are at an all-time high for the second straight fiscal year. The university recorded total giving of $41,034,246 for fiscal year 2007-08, surpassing the previous record of $32,395,043 for 2006-07.
The 2007-08 level is an increase of 26.5 percent from the total for the previous fiscal year. An average of $24,491,870 per year for the recent five-year period is an increase of 68 percent over the previous five-year period.
Among top state universities in fund-raising
During the past 11 years, The University of Akron has set annual fundraising records six times. Starting in 2000-01, the university consistently has been among the top Ohio public universities in fund-raising, averaging $26.7 million annually.
"This second straight record-setting year in private fund-raising for the university really is a testament to the donors who believe in what we're doing," says John LaGuardia, UA's vice president for public affairs and development. "It speaks to the high-quality education they see being provided to our students, and to the impact that our graduates are making as they take jobs and leadership positions throughout the local community and beyond.
"We're thankful for the outstanding philanthropic support we have received, and we will continue pushing forward in our vision to make our region even stronger."
An institution in transition
The philanthropic assistance comes at a time when the university is experiencing both enrollment growth and a need to continue to attract and retain a diverse and highly qualified faculty and staff. The past nine years have seen tremendous changes on the UA campus. Aging infrastructure continues to be renovated or rebuilt. New landscaping and buildings are transforming the campus, the surrounding neighborhoods and the City of Akron.
University of Akron President Luis M. Proenza announced in October 2007 that the university is embarking on the public phase of a comprehensive campaign to raise $500 million, placing it among the top five campaigns ever for a public university in Ohio. Funds raised will strengthen faculty, provide more scholarships and other incentives for talented students, continue to improve campus facilities, build infrastructure for academic success and fuel economic growth in Northeast Ohio.