Campaign
Stakeholder Report December 2011
Eastern Michigan University Foundation 1349 S. Huron Street, Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197 | 734.484.1322 | Fax 734.481.1737
INVEST. INSPIRE. Reaches Goal Over a Year Ahead of Schedule More than a year ahead of schedule, INVEST. INSPIRE. The campaign for Eastern Michigan University has burst past its $50 million goal, powered by an exciting variety of gifts and bequests that seek to educate and benefit students for Michigan’s future. The broad outreach effort, which involves EMU alumni, faculty, students, staff and supporters kicked off in April 2010 and was projected to last three years. “This is a major milestone for Eastern Michigan University,” said President Sue Martin. “The support we are receiving, along with the rapid pace of the campaign, highlights the excitement over our progress and momentum on campus, along with a firm belief in Eastern’s ability to offer an exceptional experience for its students.” Said Roy Wilbanks, chair of the EMU Board of Regents: “It is great news to reach this goal so quickly. Even more important is how it represents our broad and consistent commitment to improve students’ experiences at Eastern. This successful campaign, coupled with the recently completed renovations at Pray-Harrold and the ongoing $90 million Science Complex project, plus many other recent improvements, point to a time of unparalleled momentum and improvement in EMU’s history.” Campaign Chair Rodney Slater stated, “As an alumnus, it has been wonderful to see the EMU community come together to strengthen and transform our institution. I am proud to be involved in setting these building blocks for the future.” The successful completion of this goal, well ahead of schedule, is a testament to the EMU community and the place Eastern holds in Southeastern Michigan. The University is a beacon of opportunity that has been strengthened and will continue to improve. Accomplishing this goal in an environment of extreme economic challenge and uncertainty makes this success even more significant. The campaign emphasizes that Eastern is a gateway to opportunity and that EMU represents the state of Michigan at its best. The University trains professionals in fields that include nursing, education, technology and business, and is thus a stepping-stone to careers in a knowledge-based economy. In addition, EMU professors most often commit their careers to the future of Michigan, and students tend to remain in the state after they graduate. Jaclynn Tracy, an EMU graduate and chair of its Department of Leadership and Counseling, and Dale Heydlauff, a 1978 graduate and vice president at American Electric Power, serve as vice chairs of the campaign. “While we have accomplished a great deal, this is by no means the end,” said President Martin of reaching the $50 million goal. “We view this more as the first step – the beginning of an ongoing effort that focuses on Eastern Michigan’s long-term success in producing graduates who are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.” The campaign will continue until June 30, 2012. All gifts received between now and then will be counted toward the final total.
Major Support That Helped Define Our Success •
William and Delores Brehm donated $3.2 million to Eastern’s College of Education, to establish the Delores Soderquist Brehm Center for Special Education Scholarship and Research, and to fully endow programs they had been supporting for several years on an annual basis. It is the largest gift in the University’s history.
•
Overseers of the trust for renowned sculptor and potter Jean Noble Parsons donated $2.2 million to establish The Jean Noble Parsons Center for the Study of Art and Science, which is located near Traverse City.
•
The American Electric Power Foundation donated $1.5 million to fund an endowed chair in the College of Education. The gift honors EMU Regent Michael Morris, a two-time graduate and Northville resident who is retiring from the company in November after serving as chairman, president and chief executive officer since 2004. The AEP Foundation also contributed over $850,000 toward the purchase of science equipment during the campaign.
•
Alumnus and former Regent Timothy Dyer made a $1.5 million planned gift to the University for the establishment of the Dr. Timothy J. Dyer Distinguished Interdisciplinary Chair in Forensics/ Debate and Human Rights.
•
Dan McClory, an alumnus and former track and cross country standout, provided the largest gift in the history of EMU athletics, a $1 million pledge of $200,000 for five years each to benefit the men’s and women’s track and field and cross country teams at EMU.
•
Alumnus George Cogar and his wife, Darlene Shaw, made a $1 million planned gift to benefit future students with financial need. Cogar, who lives in Charleston, S.C., but is originally from Saline, earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in 1974 and a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from EMU in 1977.
William and Delores Brehm
Jean Noble Parsons
George Cogar and Darlene Shaw Dan McClory
Timothy Dyer
Campaign by the Numbers
Bequests $10,867,800 Pledges $1,967,673.52
Campaign Totals $51,928,283.03
Cash and Gifts-in-Kind $39,092,809.51
Dollars Raised to Date
$51,928,283.03 Total number of Donors
26,751 Total number of Gifts
79,262
This success would not have been possible without you!
Goal: $50 million
Counted from 7/1/2006 to 12/8/2011