Thank You for Making a Difference
Thank you for the difference You make. Because of the remarkable generosity of our donors and friends, we raised nearly $169 million in the six-year Campaign for Seattle University, far surpassing our original goal of $150 million. On behalf of the entire Seattle University community, please accept our profound gratitude for your belief in our students and our mission to empowering leaders for a just and humane world. The Campaign for Seattle University total: $168,980,743.
A few highlights:
- More than 21,000 donors contributed through the campaign. Of those, 14,000 made their first-ever donation to Seattle University. Thanks in large part to the outreach and advocacy of so many alumni and friends, more and more people understand the exceptional education we offer here at SU, and they have been moved to support us
- More than $43 million was contributed for scholarships, enabling the creation of 62 new endowed scholarship funds across campus. This is critically important to our mission and, specifically, to our students and their families, particularly in these economic times.
- More than $52 million was given for new facilities which are quite visibly transforming our campus. The $37.5 million contributed for the Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons was a magnificent centerpiece of our efforts and the Lee Center for the Arts, Championship Field, Pigott Auditorium and Fitness Center, now in the planning stages, are setting new standards for a vibrant Seattle University.
- Nearly $44 million was contributed to support academic programs, including three new endowed chairs and seven endowed professorships. Academic excellence is a hallmark our Jesuit educational mission, and your generosity continues to support the outstanding teaching and scholarship of our faculty.
- Our alumni contributed $41 million in support of their university, including important early contributions for our move to Division I athletics. Many alumni and friends are rediscovering their relationship with Seattle University, giving us tremendous momentum as we strive to be the premier independent university in the Northwest.
- The tireless generosity and leadership of campaign co-chairs Anne Farrell, John Meisenbach and Jim Sinegal. Their efforts set the gold standard for philanthropic leadership and raised awareness within the Seattle community about the difference Seattle University makes.
- The tremendous work and generosity of our Board of Trustees, Board of Regents, Alumni Boards, college advisory boards and development staff. Hundreds of volunteers made personal gifts, phone calls and contacts, and reached out to their friends and associates on our behalf.
- The incredible generosity reflected in two significant contributions. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awarded Seattle University a matching grant of $10 million for the library campaign—the largest gift ever to Seattle University—which encouraged many additional gifts. And Harold and Rita Daubenspeck contributed $9 million, the largest personal gift in the University's history: $8 million for the new library and $1 million for a new scholarship endowment.
This campaign, thanks to your unparalleled generosity, has enabled us to exceed our expectations. That is the gift you have truly given us, a gift of opportunity, a gift for the future, a gift that will endure. It creates opportunities for our students and their families, opportunities for our faculty and staff, and opportunities for the community Seattle University serves through our Jesuit educational mission.
Thank you, again, for the difference you make.
Father Stephen Sundborg, S.J.
President