VU campaign to extend beyond $75 million goal

Mon, April 30, 2001 |

VALPARAISO, Ind. - Contributions to a $75 million campaign in support of Valparaiso University have already topped the $85.5 million mark with nearly eight months of the campaign remaining, according to a report provided over the weekend to members of the University's Board of Directors.

Campaign co-chairs Phyllis and Richard Duesenberg of St. Louis said gifts and pledges to the campaign, which was publicly launched a year ago, totaled $85,594,867 as of April 27 and that fund-raising efforts will continue through Dec. 31 as previously planned.

"Three Goals, One Promise: The Campaign for Valparaiso University" is an effort to raise funds for endowment to support faculty development and student financial aid, construction of a new Center for Library and Information Resources, and for day-to-day operating support of the University.

"We are delighted about the response to the campaign by alumni, businesses and foundations," Phyllis Duesenberg said. "They are helping ensure that we keep alive the Valparaiso promise of academic excellence in a tradition of faith and learning."

Her husband said they are most grateful for the large number of gifts to the endowment component of the campaign. These gifts will be invested and the annual income will provide student scholarships, teaching and research support for outstanding teachers, and other support to the academic program.

"Much of our effort in the remaining eight months of the campaign will focus on completing funding for the Center for Library and Information Resources," Richard Duesenberg said. "This is a much-needed facility and one which is central to maintaining an excellent academic program and for learning in this technological age." So far 73 percent of the construction costs have been raised.

Work is expected to begin this summer on a new campus entrance off U.S. 30 that will initially provide a service road to the construction site of the new building. With successful completion of the fund-raising campaign, construction on the facility would begin next spring