When any institution enters a major campaign, it’s generally not without its share of naysayers. But anyone who may doubt that The University of Toledo could raise $100 million perhaps second-guessed the generosity and foresight of a much larger group: UT’s loyal alumni and friends.
The Time Is Now campaign has raised approximately $90 million to date, with the goal possibly within reach in only months, according to Vern Snyder, UT’s vice president for Institutional Advancement.
“We’re at a level of support which this institution has never before witnessed in its history,” he said.
Leading campaign gifts provided, to date, include:
- $15 million from the family of Marvin and Judy Herb for the Judith Herb College of Education
- $6 million from Chuck and Jackie Sullivan for Savage Hall and scholarships
- Three gifts ranging between $1 to $5 million
- Nine $1 million gifts
Major gifts have been designated for scholarships, endowed chairs, professorships, athletics, a new engineering technology commercialization facility, a minimally invasive surgery center and a new business complex.
In addition, Mr. Snyder said the University currently is working on two endowed professorships in surgery and a “grateful patient” gift that will significantly impact the UT Medical Center’s Heart Center.
While several of the University’s academic colleges already have been major participants in the campaign, he said others have just begun to actively solicit contributions from their alumni and friends.
“With new deans in place in the College of Law as well as the College of Arts and Sciences, we expect a surge of activity in areas such as these,” he explained.
In addition, the recent hiring of two associate vice presidents for Institutional Advancement--Howard Newman, J.D., for the Health Science Campus and Belinda F. Cook for the Main Campus--will enhance donor outreach.
Mr. Snyder said the support of alumni and friends of the former Medical University of Ohio, which joined the campaign following the two universities’ 2006 merger, will also help bring UT over its campaign goal.
“This campaign has included tremendous support for a wide array of needs and opportunities across all of UT’s campuses,” said Mr. Snyder. “These contributions have covered the full gamut of giving vehicles, from cash to trusts and bequests.”
Though million dollar gifts clearly have given the campaign a boost, Mr. Snyder noted that the average gift size, from the campaign’s 41,000 donors, is $2,200.
“We’ve been fortunate to be blessed with a number of significant gifts,” he said. “But every gift, regardless of its size, will ultimately lead us to success.”
With giving opportunities remaining for all areas of the University, Mr. Snyder said the campaign’s slogan of “The Time Is Now” has never before been more appropriate.
“The time is now, truly, to consider joining this historic endeavor by making a campaign gift,” he said. “A gift to this campaign will not only help UT today, but will impact students, faculty, staff and patients for generations to come.”
To learn more about making a gift to support The Time Is Now campaign, call UT’s development department at 419-530-2603 or 1-866-848-0002, or contact a specific development staff member from the list on the back of this publication.