SOUTHEAST TOPS $18.5 MILLION IN DONATIONS

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The "New Vision of Excellence" capital campaign for Southeast Missouri State University has raised $18.5 million of its $25 million goal.

James Limbaugh, general chairman of the fund drive, said that the campaign has reached 75 percent of its goal, an achievement he termed as "phenomenal."

The private phase of the campaign began July 1, 1987. The public fund-raising effort began last summer, Limbaugh said. But it wasn't officially announced until last September.

At that time, university officials said $12 million in gifts and pledges had already been raised.

The public fund-raising effort has raised another $6.5 million, Limbaugh said.

That includes a $500,000 naming gift announced by university officials last Friday, which will be used to help fund construction of a new athletic complex. The facility will be named in honor of Marvin Rosengarten, Southeast's director of athletic development who is retiring in December.

University officials said the money was donated by a couple who did not want their names disclosed. Limbaugh said the donors wanted the building named after Rosengarten.

"The half-million dollar naming gift, in our opinion, serves as the catalyst and momentum to continue on so the athletic portion of the campaign is met," he said.

With the $500,000 gift, the campaign has raised about $800,000 of the $1.6 million needed to build the athletic complex and fund improvements to Houck Stadium, Limbaugh said.

Of the total price tag, $1 million is earmarked for construction of the athletic complex and $600,000 for stadium improvements, university officials have said.

University officials said Friday that the athletic complex will be built adjacent to existing football practice facilities and will be accessible from Sprigg Street.

The complex will include modern sports medicine facilities, a new state-of-the-art weight-training facility, meeting rooms and an academic services center.

Limbaugh stressed that the money being raised for the athletic improvements and complex is separate from the Booster Club's annual drive, which raises money that is used primarily to pay for athletic scholarships.

In addition to the athletic complex, a top priority of the capital campaign is $2.4 million for the local share of the cost of constructing a new business school.

Limbaugh said he's pleased with the progress of the entire capital campaign. "We would like to have the campaign wrapped up within the next six to 12 months."

The Cape Girardeau banker and Southeast Missouri graduate said he's particularly pleased with the campaign considering the economic recession.

"In any kind of capital campaign, the economy has a definite impact on giving of any kind," pointed out Limbaugh.

He said the recent $500,000 gift to the university should help the entire capital campaign.

"Campaigns of this magnitude are a matter of momentum," said Limbaugh. "And when somebody makes a substantial gift like half a million dollars, it is an indication that people genuinely want to be involved with the university and its mission."

Added Limbaugh, "People want to get on the bandwagon."

Limbaugh said the funds raised in the capital campaign include various gifts, pledges and real estate.

The university is asking that those making pledges pay the money over a maximum of five years, Limbaugh said.

"We'll take it in any time frame we can, but we ask that they not stretch it out more than five years."

He added, "The real thrust comes from the people who are able to give from $10,000 to $25,000. Those are the people who have to budget for that sort of thing.

"It's a series of small victories and an occasional defeat," Limbaugh said of the fund-raising effort.

"By and large, I've been tremendously impressed with the generosity of people and businesses in this area.

Members of the faculty and staff at Southeast have also contributed to the campaign.

"The overall positive attitude that people have of the university is staggering, plus the support of the faculty and staff is incredible," said Limbaugh.