CAMPAIGN UCLA
Closing in on goal
BY PAMELA CORANTE
UCLA Today
Marking the fifth consecutive year in which UCLA’s gift total has
topped $250 million, Campaign UCLA received $278.1 million in private
gifts and grants during 2002-03.
The figure signals the continuation of successful fund-raising performance
despite the significant downturn in the local and national economy. It
brings the total for the campaign over the $2.3-billion mark, equaling
96% of the $2.4-billion overall goal with two years remaining.
“The broad range of private commitments has enabled the building
of new facilities, expanded student support, enhanced interdisciplinary
programs and accelerated landmark research advances,” said Chancellor
Albert Carnesale. “Indeed, UCLA continues on its stellar course
spurred on by the generosity of all our supporters, from the modest and
heartfelt to the remarkable and visionary.”
Launched in 1997 with an initial goal of $1.2 billion, Campaign UCLA
remains the most ambitious fund-raising effort ever undertaken by a public
university. Although it appears the campaign’s overall goal will
be attained well before its target completion date, there are still several
priorities campuswide that remain unfulfilled, officials pointed out.
According to Dennis Slon, associate vice chancellor for development,
“The success of Campaign UCLA to date offers us the opportunity
to reenergize this effort and focus on the emerging priorities of graduate
fellowship support and funds for faculty recruitment and retention.”
In contrast to previous years, only 3% of the gifts received during
2002-03 are unrestricted, underscoring the need for flexible funds to
support the university’s highest priorities; 97% are designated
for specific purposes.
Designated gifts and pledges are: research — $87.3 million; academic
programs — $117.9 million; scholarships/fellowships — $15.6
million; instruction — $15.4 million; campus improvement —
$26.5 million; other activities — $7.3 million.
Among the highlights of the past year:
- A $48-million bequest from alumna Emily Plumb to support the Jules
Stein Eye Institute. Plumb, a graduate of UCLA’s Vermont Avenue
campus in 1927, continued a family tradition: Her sister-in-law, Edith
Agnes Plumb, had bequeathed $22.5 million to the university in support
of medical research upon her death in 1995.
- In the UCLA College, English Professor and department chair Tom Wortham
bolstered the effort to provide competitive fellowship packages by establishing
the George Chavez Endowed Graduate Fellowship, named in honor of his
late partner.
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