Largest Campaign in VU History for Capital, Scholarships, Faculty

Valparaiso University in June publicly an­nounced a $200 million fundraising initiative—the largest in its history—designed to greatly enhance the univer­sity’s ability to carry out its faith-based educational mission.

Valparaiso University's new union is currently under construction on campus.

“Our Valpo, Our Time, 150th Anniver­sary Initiative” seeks support for capital projects, including the new campus union, and enhancements to College of Engineering and athletics facilities. It also will fund scholar­ships for students and support for faculty through gifts to the VU endowment. Ongoing academic programs and student services through support to the Valpofund also are a part of the initiative.

For the past three years, “Our Valpo” has sought gifts from board members and others close to the university. It has realized some solid successes, including the dedication of Kallay-Christopher Hall; $10 million for the School of Law; the completion of a new tennis complex; and the start of construc­tion for the new campus union. Funding for scholarships and faculty support through the endow­ment also remains strong.

“We are truly grateful for the support to date from alumni and friends who have placed the initiative on a successful trajec­tory,” VU President Alan Harre says. “However there is no doubt that we must address the gaps that remain in order to fully fund the capital projects and also provide for student scholarships and faculty support by increasing the endowment.” The “Our Valpo” initiative will culmi­nate in 2009 with the university’s 150th anniversary celebration. It will serve as the capstone to President Harre’s 20-year career at Valpo as he plans to retire in June 2008. (See stories on Pages 3 and 20-25.)

Capital Projects

Campus Union

The new 202,000-square-foot union under­scores the sense of community in education that distinguishes Val­paraiso University. It will serve as a central location for students to dine, develop leadership, team­work and social skills, and interact with faculty and staff. Key features include:

• space for the more than 100 student organizations on campus.
• an international and multicultural suite.
• a large dining hall.
• a banquet/multipurpose room.
• a bookstore.

VU President Alan Harre speaks with student leaders Matthew Cavin and Erin Votava at the site of the new campus union.

Last fall, VU’s Board of Directors authorized groundbreaking and con­struction after the “Our Valpo” initiative acquired enough initial funding from alumni and friends toward the $74 million project. With the public announce­ment of the campaign, the university hopes to bridge the $13 million gap in funding that remains.

Razz Jenkins ’77 is among the alumni who have made a gift to the union. “From Valpo, I take with me a profound sense of being a part of a shared community experience [that the union fosters], and a respect for my education and life lessons learned,” he says.

College of Engineering

The “Our Valpo” initiative will pro­vide enhancements to the College of Engineering’s learning environment. The importance of facilities in engi­neering education is demon­strated by the fact that all labs are taught by professors and used by students beginning in their first year of study. Well-equipped labs and first-rate facilities will help draw students and the best qualified faculty to VU.

Department of Athletics

Students participating in sports at VU learn more than just physical condi­tioning. Setting goals, teamwork, time management, leadership and service are some of the other skills student-athletes acquire.

A new 12-court tennis com­plex was dedicated last fall thanks to funds raised for the FITT ath­letics initia­tive, one of the components of the “Our Valpo” campaign.

Also part of “Our Valpo,” the FITT athletics initiative will enhance facilities for Valpo student-athletes, students participating in intramural programs, and the entire student body. Phase 1 of FITT, including a new 12-court tennis complex and a cardio-fitness center, was dedicated last fall. Recently, Valpo’s athletics program received a significant endorsement a $1 million gift toward Phase 2 of FITT. This phase includes:

• lighting for the track and football/all-purpose field.
• an eight-lane polyurethane running track.
• a synthetic, all-weather turf for the football field made of recyclable products.
• a new scoreboard for football games and track and field meets.
• A significant gap in funding toward FITT Phase 2 still exists. As of VALPO press time, $1.6 million remains to be raised.

Student Scholarships and Faculty Support Through VU’s Endowment

Scholarship funds from the interest on VU’s endowment help make Valpo an affordable option for many students.

“The mission [of Valpo] is about pro­viding students with the educa­tional experiences so they can learn for life,” says Wallace Pretzer ’51.

Pretzer established an en­dowed schol­arship for students study­ing abroad to “help them develop into good citizens of the country and world.”

Student scholarships are just one area funded through Valpo’s endowment. Lutheran heritage and character; faculty support and recog­nition; international study programs; and the physical environment of campus also receive support through the interest gleaned from VU’s endowment, which currently stands at approximately $190 million.

Learn how you can support the com­po­nents of the “Our Valpo” initiative. Call 800.803.7184, ext. 42, or send an e-mail to lori.babcock@valpo.edu. Read more at valpo.edu/givetovu.