The Southeast Missouri University Foundation, which primarily funds renovations, support of academic programs and scholarships, has reached the 75 percent mark in its $40 million fundraising campaign.
The $40 million goal, which started with a quiet phase in 2010, is the "most ambitious in the history of the university," said Bill Holland, vice president of university advancement and executive director of the university foundation.
"The $40 million is a lofty goal, and we're working very hard to attain it," Holland said. The formal campaign has two years remaining, he said.
Holland said Southeast uses a variety of ways to appeal to people, including its annual calling drive, direct mail, personal solicitation and affinity groups such as members of fraternities, sororities or athletic clubs who remain close to the university through the years.
The quiet phase was led by a campaign committee co-chaired by Stan Crader of Marble Hill, Mo., and Dwain Hahs of Jackson. Southeast President Kenneth Dobbins announced the public phase of the campaign during the foundation's annual Copper Dome Reception, held in conjunction with last month's Homecoming and the grand reopening of Academic Hall, according to a news release from the university.
Holland said the quiet fundraising mode is "very typical of what universities and major campaigns do.
"It's where you try to garner your major gift support, your larger gifts that you would bring forth," Holland said. "You don't want to announce a campaign at ground zero. ... That is a standard operating procedure for most philanthropic organizations. It's a way you can gauge your success from that standpoint."
The foundation started the campaign, "Honoring Tradition, Inspiring Success," in the midst of the financial crisis when the national economy was not doing well. "That's what this whole campaign is about. We wanted to make sure that we were able to garner momentum on this campaign. We didn't want to announce in the midst of that," Holland said.
The University Foundation provides more than $1.2 million in scholarships to students, the release said.
Holland said it's hoped by announcing the drive, other people will be encouraged to contribute. Funds also can go toward other things if a donor desires, but it's a rare occurrence, said Ann Hayes, News Bureau Director at Southeast.
Noting the university "means a lot to this region," Holland said for every 100 students, $1 million is infused into the local Cape Girardeau economy, according to an economic impact study released last year.
"Unless we have an educated workforce with higher-education degrees, we're not going to continue to grow and prosper," Holland said. Southeast has a 70,000 alumni base nationally, 20,000 of which are from the St. Louis area, he said.
"The university is not just a local entity. We have a true impact in our entire five-state service region," Holland said. "Our goal is to provide a quality, affordable higher education environment that is accessible to all."
Speaking at the Copper Dome event in October, Dobbins said the state in 1981 covered 83 percent of the cost of education and students were responsible for 17 percent.
Today, Dobbins said, students pay about $6,500 a year in tuition, or 60 percent of the cost of education, and the state covers 40 percent. Holland said tuition varies by degree program, and that $6,500 does not include housing and books, although he said books can be rented at a lower cost than buying them.
While scholarships assist individuals, endowed programs such as a lecture series or support for international academic competitions help hundreds of students, the release said.
"We live in a global marketplace," Dobbins said. "Providing students a high-quality education that ensures students experience success in our global society is of critical importance. Southeast needs to continue to provide access to new opportunities, and endowed programs help make these initiatives possible."
Those wishing to support the campaign may contact Holland at the foundation at semofoundation.org.
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