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The Rice Thresher
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by Rachel Shiffrin for the Thresher
As of August, $291 million had been raised, and there are almost three years until the campaign will end. The campaign has four categories of concentration. These larger categories encompass all of the various individual projects that will receive gifts. Donors can still give to certain individual projects, but the umbrella categories "make it easier to communicate the objectives of the campaign," Vice President for Resource Development Eric Johnson said. The first area of concentration is enhancing undergraduate and student life, which will be given $175 million. This will cover undergraduate financial aid, the rebuilding of Wiess College, the building of Martel College, and the expansion of Fondren Library, among other things. According to Johnson, the main focus of the entire campaign is on strengthening undergraduate and graduate programs. "We are always looking to improve the undergraduate program as much as we can ... as well as improving the graduate program and the interactions between those two," he said. The largest portion of the total donations, $270 million, is designated for strengthening faculty and graduate programs. This includes money for endowed chairs, graduate fellowships, construction of the Humanities Building and the renovation of Keck Hall. Johnson said these improvements are important for undergraduate students, as well as graduate students. "If you strengthen the faculty, it also helps enhance undergraduate education, which is the primary goal," he said. "Any of the gifts of this campaign are going to be an improvement for undergraduates." The campaign also will raise $25 million to expand and outreach programs, such as the School of Continuing Studies and elementary school education. Lastly, the annual fund and unrestricted gifts will receive $30 million, money to cover research support, scholarships and unforeseen investments. "The campaign is going to touch every corner of the university, and I really hope it can help improve all of our educational programs across the board," Johnson said. The fund-raising efforts were kicked off last weekend. On Friday, major donors were invited to a dinner and celebration inside a tent set up in front of Lovett Hall. The Marching Owl Band performed while guests were being seated at dinner tables. Bill Barnett, chair of the Board of Trustees, gave welcoming remarks, and trustees J.D. Bucky Allshouse (Rice '71), Kent Anderson (Hanszen '62) and Robert McNair made celebratory toasts. President Malcolm Gillis talked briefly after dinner, and a video about Rice was shown. On Saturday, faculty and staff were invited to a celebration "to recognize their role in the campaign," Johnson said. Opening remarks were given by Barnett and the video was shown for a second time. Guests also danced to the music of Mango Punch.
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This document may be distributed electronically, provided that it is distributed in its entirety and includes this notice. However, it cannot be reprinted without the express written permission of: The Rice Thresher, Rice University MS-524, PO Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251-1892, USA. The Thresher Online Project -- ethresh@listserv.rice.edu |
