SEMO RELIES ON GENEROUS SUPPORT OF DONORS

Southeast Missouri State University is "quietly" on its way to raising $25 million by the spring of 2002.

The university kicked off its current capital campaign, called "125 Years: Prologue to the 21st Century," two years ago. During that time, the university's private foundation has been soliciting high-dollar contributors in what foundation director Wayne Davenport calls the "quiet phase" campaign.

University officials have been equally silent on how much money the effort has brought in so far. But indications are the campaign is going so strong that the financial goal may be increased well beyond the original $25 million mark.

The funds, whatever the final goal turns out to be, will be used for a wide range of programs, including building projects and scholarships.

The more visible phase of the campaign will begin after Labor Day with direct-mail and telephone solicitations. Fund-raising efforts are being concentrated in 17 Missouri counties and St. Louis, but other areas of the country ranging from nearby Southern Illinois to faraway California and Florida are also being targeted.

Still, the university's most ardent and generous supporters come from Southeast Missouri. Local folks, according to Southeast officials, remain at the core of the foundation's fund-raising efforts. Many local donors are asked time and again for support. Time and again they come through for the school. One donor who had previously given $5,000 -- no small amount -- recently committed more than $200,000 to the current effort.

Though Southeast is a taxpayer-supported institution, private donations are vital to making desired improvements both large and small a reality. Private contributions also help the university win substantial amounts of additional state money for major undertakings, such as the $16.55 million the state has contributed to cover half the costs of the River Campus project.

With continued and generous support, Southeast will continue to grow and thrive for years to come.