SOUTHEAST CAPITAL EFFORT TOPS $25 MILLION GOAL

When the message is clear and the need is real, raising money is easy, said James P. Limbaugh Friday as he announced that Southeast Missouri State University's capital campaign has exceeded its goal of $25 million.

"As of the end of February 1992, the campaign has raised in gifts and pledges a total of $25,137,000," Limbaugh said. "It is gratifying to know that after approximately a year and a half of campaign activity by approximately 200 volunteers and our telefund center reaching thousands of donors, we have surpassed the $25 million goal."

"A New Vision of Excellence" is the first major capital campaign in Southeast history. The effort was launched Sept. 29, 1990.

The announcement was made Friday at a press conference following the annual Southeast Missouri University Foundation retreat.

Limbaugh said, "When you can communicate a need and it is in fact real, it's very easy to raise money. This university reaches so many areas and so many people.

"Imagine this community without this university," Limbaugh said. "Think how much our community is improved because it is here. And that's true throughout the region."

But he admitted the response to the "A New Vision of Excellence" campaign has been tremendous.

"In what have been lackluster economic times at best, for the philanthropic spirit to be this great is truly amazing."

In five areas, the campaign surpassed goals: scholarships, program enhancements, campus development, Bootheel Education Center and university fund.

The goal for scholarships was $4 million; $5,352,235 has been raised. The goal for program enhancements was $3 million; $4,199,634 has been raised. The goal for campus development was $1 million; $1,272,197 has been raised. The goal for the Bootheel Education Center in Malden was $3.5 million; $3,541,261 has been raised. The goal for the university fund was $1.5 million; $3,518,882 has been raised.

Don Ford, development director at Southeast, said, "We had tremendous success dealing with small business. Over half our campaign commitments came from corporations, large or small."

Southeast President Kala Stroup said, "We are extremely pleased to announce that we have surpassed our $25 million goal. I especially would like to thank Jim Limbaugh for his tireless efforts in carrying the university's message to our constituencies in the region.

"I also would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the university's thousands of believers and supporters including its friends, alumni, faculty, staff, parents and business associates who contributed generously so that Southeast Missouri State University will witness `A New Vision of Excellence' in the years to come."

While the total goal has been met, some areas of the campaign have not reached their goal.

"With three and a half months left in the solicitation phase of the campaign, we will continue to press forward toward 100 percent funding for all areas of the campaign," Stroup said.

The general solicitation phase of the campaign ends June 30.

Limbaugh said, "A campaign like this functions on momentum. All along we have expected not only to meet our goals, but to exceed them."

Three campaign funds have been listed as priorities: College of Business Administration, 94 percent of its $2.4 million goal has been met; athletic complex and Houck Stadium improvements, 68 percent of its goal of $1.6 million has been met; and NPR-KRCU, 21 percent of its $500,000 goal has been met.

Other areas that have not met goals include nursing building, 44 percent of the goal met; faculty enrichment, 15 percent; equipment, 21 percent; and Kent Library, 91 percent.