Elmhurst 150 - The Campaign for Elmhurst University

The Campaign for Elmhurst University

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

“Elmhurst is on an upward trajectory: Enrollment is strong, we’re launching new programs and excitement is high.

Closing a recordbreaking campaign gives us confidence as an institution and demonstrates that our alumni and friends take pride in Elmhurst.”

TROY D. VANAKEN, PH.D.

President

A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD CHAIRS

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On June 30, we closed the books on the most successful fundraising campaign in Elmhurst University history. Over the past seven years, donors contributed a record-breaking $55.3 million to strengthen the Elmhurst experience and extend the University’s reach for generations to come.

We launched the campaign in 2016 with an ambitious goal of $50 million—only to exceed that goal nine months ahead of schedule. With renewed energy and momentum, the campaign continued to attract support from alumni, friends and organizations both close to campus and around the world.

Your transformative generosity is already making its mark. Increased support for our Annual Fund is opening our doors to promising but underfunded students and supporting faculty in doing their best work. A stronger endowment will support generations of students well into the future. Our renovated athletic facilities are strengthening the student-athlete experience on campus, and we’re building a hub for the health sciences that will transform the way we teach future health professionals.

Perhaps more important, the campaign has sparked a campuswide buzz of excitement and energy.

Bringing together the University community in shared pursuit of an ambitious goal has reinforced a culture of philanthropy and demonstrated our collective belief in the strength and vibrancy of this institution.

On behalf of our students and the Elmhurst University Board of Trustees, thank you for your support.

Together, we’re building a stronger institution and changing lives.

Sincerely, HUGH MCLEAN

ED MOMKUS ’74

BARB LUCKS ’73

Chair Board of Trustees

Immediate Past Chair Board of Trustees

Past Chair Board of Trustees

The Campaign for Elmhurst University

Dear Alumni and Friends,

By the Numbers

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CAMPAIGN GOAL

Elmhurst 150: The Campaign for Elmhurst University Raised more than $55.3 million in support of several key initiatives:

Annual Giving 01. Steady funding for scholarships and operational support

The Endowment 02. Building the endowment to provide for specific purposes and scholarships in perpetuity

Sciences Initiative 03. Health A new building that will be a thriving hub for the health sciences

Athletics & Recreation 04. Improvements to Faganel Hall and Langhorst Field

$50 million

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INDIVIDUAL GIFTS

FIRST-TIME DONORS TO ELMHURST

$55.3 million

20,000

3,400

The Campaign for Elmhurst University

CAMPAIGN TOTAL

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CAMPAIGN PRIORITY

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The Elmhurst University Annual Fund enables the University to respond nimbly to immediate needs and opportunities. Annual gifts give us the flexibility to open our doors to students of limited means, present innovative events and activities and fulfill everyday operating costs.

Our campaign goal was to expand the Annual Fund to $1 million per year. Thanks in part to Annual Fund support, last year every one of our full-time undergraduate students received some form of financial aid.

“Elmhurst has been a part of my story since 2000, when my mom joined the communications faculty. Now I’m giving back because I know that my donations are going toward that ever-widening circle and making people’s dreams a reality. Campaigns like this help shift the tide for access and opportunity, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of that impact.”

JESSICA M. SULLIVAN-WILSON ’10

Vice President of Engagement Alumni Association Board of Directors

The Campaign for Elmhurst University

01. Annual Giving

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CAMPAIGN PRIORITY

02. Endowment The Endowment provides a steady stream of income that gives us the opportunity to grow in perpetuity, supporting everything from endowed scholarships and professorships to programs and much more.

The campaign raised more than $30 million to support our endowment and restricted funds.

These gifts represent an investment in the University’s future and help preserve our long-term financial security and stability.

“I was a poor Black kid from the South, and Elmhurst gave me a scholarship and helped me feel welcome. To have that opportunity is life-changing, and it has enabled me to inspire others. That’s why I established an endowed scholarship fund with my friends Tony Boone and Steve Jemison: because when Elmhurst helps one student, it’s helping thousands.”

ROSIE PHILLIPS DAVIS ’71

Member Board of Trustees

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The Campaign for Elmhurst University

PHOTO CREDIT: AYERS SAINT GROSS

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CAMPAIGN PRIORITY

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Elmhurst is a recognized leader in health sciences instruction. With nationally ranked programs in nursing, occupational therapy and related fields, we educate health professionals who go on to change lives and help shape the future of health care.

In October 2023, we broke ground on a state-of-the-art building that will foster collaboration and growth by bringing Elmhurst’s nursing, public health, occupational therapy and communication sciences and disorders programs under one roof. In state-ofthe-art spaces, our students will learn to collaborate across disciplines to meet tomorrow’s health care needs.

“For me, being part of this campaign has been fantastic. There’s a real buzz on campus, and the fact that we’ve been able to raise this kind of money shows that the University is a community that people believe in and are willing to fight for.”

GINA PROCHASKA ’88

Member Board of Trustees

The Campaign for Elmhurst University

03. Health Sciences Initiative

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CAMPAIGN PRIORITY

04. Athletics & Recreation Each year, more than 500 studentathletes compete on 20 Bluejay teams, including everything from lacrosse and tennis to volleyball and football. In practices and games, they build a strong sense of camaraderie and learn important skills.

Featuring new competition surfaces, bleachers, tracks and scoreboards, the improved spaces will enhance the athletics experience and help us recruit the most promising student-athletes.

Already, our upgraded facilities are raising the level of competition and Thanks to our generous donors, many of helping us attract and retain studentour athletes now compete in upgraded athletes. But they’re also supporting facilities. The campaign enabled us to us in building students’ teamwork undertake significant renovations to both skills, strengthening our community Langhorst Field and R.A. Faganel Hall. and making Elmhurst feel like home. “ Amazing facilities are an important part of a great student experience, and this campaign allowed us to take a huge step forward in that regard. But our donors aren’t just supporting improved facilities. They’re also showing that they care about our students—that each student is important to the institution.”

GLEN BRITTICH

Director of Athletics

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The Campaign for Elmhurst University

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Planned Giving their will or estate plans. Another $15 million was pledged to Elmhurst University through the documented bequests of alumni and friends. This campaign demonstrated that donors have an interest in both supporting Elmhurst during their lifetime and by leaving a legacy.

“Elmhurst invited me in, gave me a chance to become a successful student and propelled me forward in my career. Supporting Elmhurst is the least I can do, because I’ve been so lucky. I want to see underserved kids get that same chance, so I’ve included scholarship funding in my estate plan. You help one kid at a time.”

STEVE JEMISON ’72

Member Board of Trustees

The Campaign for Elmhurst University

Bequests, annuities and other estateplanning tools enable donors to meet their own financial goals while also supporting our students and advancing our mission. Nearly $8 million was contributed during the campaign from alumni and friends who included Elmhurst in

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Federal Grants Federal funding is a critical factor in building our capacity to create innovative programs, extend our reach and enrich the Elmhurst experience for students. During the campaign, Elmhurst received over $8 million in federal funding, including a $3.4 million Title V grant to support Hispanic and underserved students.

access resources. The grant will also fund culturally responsive training for faculty and support an endowed fund to help students participate in internships, study away programs, research projects and service learning.

“The center is meant to be a hub of multiple services, a space where students We’re already putting those funds to work. feel comfortable and culturally affirmed,” In September we launched El Centro says Karina Rivera, director of the de la Promesa Azul (The Center of the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institution Blue Promise), a welcoming space where (DHSI) Project. “And we hope it will Hispanic, first-generation and underserved become a place where students feel students can make connections and they can fulfill their full potential.”

“My internship at the Shedd Aquarium gave me the chance to work up close with dolphins and Beluga whales. I’m thinking about becoming a veterinarian, so it was an amazing experience. But I wouldn’t have had the opportunity without the support I received from my scholarships.”

STEPHANIE MEDINA ’26

Biology Major

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The Campaign for Elmhurst University

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Major Gifts Circle Hall was renamed Jean Koplin Memorial Hall.

In addition, one donor established a bequest to create an endowed chair in education. Another donor committed an estate gift to support Elmhurst’s choral program through an endowment. By funneling significant resources into specific departments or initiatives, major gifts can have a transformative impact on the future of the institution—and of our students.

“It’s no exaggeration to say that philanthropy has transformed the physics department. We now have two machine shops, a design studio, a student lounge, two research labs, a mechatronics classroom and a computation studio— all of which are essential tools for modern learning. Hardly a day goes by when I don’t feel very deep gratitude that these things have come our way.”

VENKATESH GOPAL

Associate Professor of Physics and Chair Department of Physics

The Campaign for Elmhurst University

The campaign received several major gifts to support exceptional programs and innovations. In 2016, for example, Trustee Russell Weigand ’64 and his wife, Joyce Slone Weigand, announced a $2.25 million gift to support the University’s Center for Professional Excellence. In recognition of their generosity, the center was renamed in their honor. A 2021 gift from Trustee Alfred Koplin is supporting everything from student scholarships to curriculum development. In recognition of this generous gift,

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Timeline: Building Our Future July 1, 2016

October 22, 2016

2017

2018

March 2020

July 1, 2020

Imagining Elmhurst Initiative kicks off and the campaign’s quiet phase begins

Troy D. VanAken is inaugurated as Elmhurst’s 14th president

Elmhurst develops 2021 Strategic Plan

Elmhurst develops Facilities Master Plan

Renovation of Faganel Hall gymnasium begins

Elmhurst College becomes Elmhurst University

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October 14, 2022

May 2023

June 2023

June 30, 2023

Campaign launches publicly during sesquicentennial celebration on Founders Day

Elmhurst welcomes largest incoming class

Campaign achieves fundraising goal nine months early

Langhorst Field renovation begins

Board of Trustees approves Health Sciences Building

Campaign concludes, smashing institutional fundraising records

The Campaign for Elmhurst University

December 6, 2021

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Thank you “The historic response to the Elmhurst 150 campaign is a testament to our growing strength and vibrant community.

Already, your gifts are transforming our campus, enhancing the student experience and expanding our ever-widening circle to more students than ever. We’re deeply grateful for your support, and we look forward to a future filled with promise.”

ANDREW KNAP

Vice President for Institutional Advancement

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“Elmhurst has always been an important part of my life, and it’s gratifying to see how much confidence our donors have in the institution. The success of the campaign shows how far we’ve come—and I can’t wait to see what more we can do.”

HEATHER FORSTER JENSEN ’08

President Alumni Association Board of Directors

The Campaign for Elmhurst University

“My family has had a connection with Elmhurst University since the 1960s, when my uncle enrolled. Both of my parents and my younger brother also graduated from Elmhurst, and now my nephew is a second-year student on campus.

190 Prospect Avenue Elmhurst, IL 60126