CAMPAIGN UPDATE
120 by 2020
The Power of Momentum By University of New Haven staff
This spring, the University of New Haven’s inaugural comprehensive campaign, launched as a precursor to the institution’s historic Centennial in 2020, exceeded its original goal of $100 million. This milestone was reached almost a year in advance of the official start of the University’s 100th year. The Charger Challenge: The Campaign for the University of New Haven was publicly launched in 2016. Since its inception, more than 16,000 donors have contributed to the campaign, and the University has received 80 gifts of $100,000 or more and 20 gifts of at least $1 million. In addition to raising more than $100 million, the University has attracted more than $24 million in federal and state grants and contracts during the campaign. “This is momentous for the University,” said President Steven H. Kaplan. “As we prepare to begin a yearlong celebration of our first 100 years, we are proud to announce an unprecedented level of support for our future. Our founders would take great pride in seeing the dedication that today’s donors have to our mission. We are indebted to all of our alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends who are ensuring our next century of success and achievement.” President Kaplan said that the goal for The Charger Challenge was increased to $120 million by 2020 and will focus on attracting additional resources for athletics and the new School of Health Sciences. The Charger Challenge seeks to provide new support for educational opportunities that foster innovation, creativity, and social impact, while also enriching learning and co-curricular opportunities for students. In addition, the Challenge has sought
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to substantially increase the amount of endowed scholarships and financial aid available to attract and retain highly talented students. Since the launch of the campaign, 94 new endowed scholarships have been created. The centerpiece of The Charger Challenge is the new Bergami Center for Science, Technology, and Innovation, a state-of-the-art, 44,000-square-foot academic facility. Currently under construction at the heart of the University’s campus, it is scheduled to open in early 2020. The University’s first new academic building in more than 40 years, the Bergami Center will include, among other cutting-edge features, engineering and science labs, state-of-the-art collaborative classrooms, and video production studios. A central feature of the building will be its makerspace, where students will have the opportunity to explore their own interests and inventions, use innovative tools and materials, and pursue interdisciplinary collaborative opportunities. More than one third of the building will be “open space” that will foster creative idea exchange and teamwork. Instead of traditional faculty offices, it will feature co-working spaces and areas that encourage and support the exchange of ideas between students and faculty.
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