W&J exceeds $100 million campaign goal
Washington & Jefferson College has achieved a major fundraising goal ahead of schedule.
About $103 million has been raised so far for “An Uncommon Bond: The Campaign for Washington & Jefferson College,” an effort to raise $100 million. Funds raised will increase the endowment for students and faculty, provide funding for scholarships and student programs, and support improvements to living and learning spaces.
“We are extraordinarily pleased with how this campaign has advanced,” said W&J President Dr. Tori Haring-Smith, in a news release. “The generosity of our many donors will allow us to continue our tradition of excellence by further supporting our campus community inside and outside of the classroom.”
The campaign provides funding for endowments, a permanent pool of funds invested long term to generate earnings. The earnings from endowments can be used annually to support scholarships and financial aid to students, special programs and faculty salaries and benefits.
During the campaign, W&J’s endowment has grown from $95.3 million to $133.8 million.
The campaign supports the W&J Fund, used for scholarships, faculty positions, athletics, study-abroad programs – including the Magellan Project, an academic initiative unique to W&J – and an array of other opportunities for students.
Capital needs also are supported through the campaign, including the Janet Swanson Tennis Center, a state-of-the-art tennis center that opened in September 2015. Under construction is the James David Ross Family Recreation Center, which will expand Henry Memorial Gymnasium and give varsity coaches and teams new spaces for recruiting and training while creating additional space for intramural and club sports. Completion is expected by winter.
In an upcoming project, U. Grant Miller Library will be reconfigured to accommodate additional digital research tools, including access to more databases, digital books and other online resources, wireless classrooms and additional study space.
“This campaign will have an impact on the college today and for many years to come,” said Richard T. Clark, a 1968 W&J graduate, chairman of the board of trustees and chairman of the campaign. “These initiatives will transform W&J’s ability to support students and faculty at the highest level, but we are not done yet. We still have many projects that will benefit W&J to complete. Staff will continue to work with those interested in commemorating their own relationship to the college by giving to support our students.”
More information about the campaign is available at www.anuncommonbond.com.