THE DEAN'S MESSAGE

LAS Campaign Crosses the Halfway Mark

Dear Friends of LAS,

Over the last several months, many of us have felt the financial pains of the country’s economic recession. On the national level, and certainly in the College, we have either heard or found ourselves saying, “We will just have to learn to do more with less.” I, myself, have been a very quick learner of this lesson.

Dean Dwight A. McBride

Still, I can’t help but notice that this time of sacrifice has also come with a flood of creative thinking—and with a generosity of spirit—that has not only assuaged some of the hardship, but in fact has transcended it. That our College’s Brilliant Futures Campaign has continued to grow and strengthen every day is a testimony to the dedication of the LAS community. Our loyal friends and generous donors have assisted us in reaching a significant milestone: we have officially crossed over the halfway mark in reaching our campaign goal.

The Brilliant Futures Campaign quietly started its silent phase on July 1, 2003 and went public on June 1, 2007. As of June 30, 2009, the Brilliant Futures campaign totals reflect a gift commitment of $32,109,641. This represents approximately 52 1/2 percent of our LAS campaign goal of $61,290,000.

This total breaks down to $14,425,271 in endowment giving (funds that are invested to generate interest for continuing use) and $17,684,370 in current use giving, money that is immediately available for use.

This support allows us to provide vital funding to students in significant ways: through scholarships, research programs, academic support, institutional enhancements and exciting initiatives. You can learn for yourself the many ways in which your gifts can and do benefit the College by reading this edition of Milestones’ features on “New Funds in the College.” In this update on the new gift funds that have been established in LAS, you can read about the variety of ways that donors have elected to assist our students, faculty and campus.

In the feature, “A Donor’s Vision for Making Progress Begins with Undergraduate Research,” you can learn also firsthand the passion for undergraduate research that I share with LAS alumnus, Dr. Howard Kaufman. As Dr. Kaufman says, “Research is a way to make progress.” Dr. Kaufman has certainly done so in his own research, and with his gift to the College, has shown how an undergraduate research program not only improves a student’s analytical, research and communication skills, but helps make the world a better place.

As always, we invite you to learn more about the amazing work taking place throughout the College by reading AtLAS and its electronic cousin, e-AtLAS. We welcome you to be part of these exciting initiatives, and to let us know your own ideas for forging brilliant futures in LAS.

Warm regards,

Dwight A. McBride
Dean