Utah State University Announces First Comprehensive Campaign
On the occasion of its 119th birthday, Utah State University announced exciting plans for the future with the public announcement of its first comprehensive fund-raising campaign.
USU formally announced the comprehensive campaign following the university's Founders Day celebration, Friday, March 2, in the Taggart Student Center on the USU campus. USU President Stan L. Albrecht unveiled the campaign's official fundraising goal of $200 million.
"The campaign will take its place among the most significant moments in Utah State University's history," said Albrecht. "This journey will be transformative in its long-term impact on the university."
The formal campaign announcement by Albrecht was capped off with fireworks and dancing.
The campaign's theme is "Honoring Tradition, Securing Our Future: The Campaign for Utah State University."
The campaign is aimed at increasing the university's endowment and raising USU's reputation as a national center of academic excellence. The comprehensive campaign will focus, in particular, on raising money for scholarships, faculty endowments and facilities to support the mission of the institution.
"We are not asking people just to help us launch a campaign - we are asking them to help us build a greater university," said Albrecht. "We are taking a bold and important step on the path toward building a university of excellence and distinction."
Albrecht said a comprehensive campaign is not an end in itself. It is a tool by which a university translates the financial support of its friends into opportunities for future generations of students. The funds generated during the campaign will be used in a number of ways.
Campaign funds will be used to make certain that no one who desires and is qualified for a Utah State University education is denied that opportunity, Albrecht said. They will be used to create opportunities for the most able and deserving students both in Logan and at regional campuses throughout the state. They will help the university attract, support and retain outstanding faculty. They will be used to create excellence in athletics programs and will help as the university builds new state-of-the-art learning facilities and research laboratories.
"The successes that characterize our rich history now serve as the foundation upon which we will build," said Albrecht. "We must look to the private sector to find ways to ensure our competitive advantage so future generations of students enjoy the same caliber of education as our alumni enjoyed during their time at this great institution."
Founders Day honored five guests for their contributions and service to the university and the state of Utah. Receiving Distinguished Service Awards were A. Scott and Jesselie B. Anderson and Ardeshir Zahedi. The Distinguished Alumnus Award went to Dell Loy and Lynnette T. Hansen.
The event was sponsored by Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah, USU Charter Credit Union and Zion's Bank.
Contact: Kent Clark (435) 797-2645, (435) 881-5665, kent.clark@usu.edu
Writer: Tim Vitale (435) 797-1356, tim.vitale@usu.edu
