A promise made four years ago has been greatly exceeded, as a financial campaign by Fairfield University that originally hoped for $100 million has pulled in nearly $40 million more, Rev. Jeffrey von Arx, S.J. announced Monday at a press conference.
“We are positioned like never before to reach the education, spiritual, and athletic needs of our students,” said von Arx, the school’s new president.
The operation, launched in 1998 by the title “Our Promise: The Campaign for Fairfield University,” set a goal of $100 million in 2000, and then raised it to $125 million in May 2002.
At the press conference, von Arx said the total raised was $137.9 million.
He also lauded the work of his predecessor, Rev. Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J., who served for 25 years, for initiating the drive.
“It was his leadership and inspiration that led the university to launch such a major fundraising effort, and his vision and tireless efforts that brought it to fruition,” von Arx said.
In addition to Kelley, he also extended thanks to the numerous donors, which included at least 22 separate gifts of $1 million or more.
“The campaign was possible through the incredible generosity and leadership of our trustees, alumni, parents and friends, who contributed across a wide range of gift levels,” he said.
He added, “Most people who decide to contribute to our university do so because they or their children have had a good educational experience here. This is a tribute to the time and energy and commitment expended by everyone on campus to Fairfield’s mission.”
There are several planned improvements to the school using these contributions.
“Right now, the major structural building on campus is behind us,” said von Arx.
“However, there are still many areas we can improve, such as working to provide more internship opportunities for students, funding more faculty research projects which involve students, and bringing in more faculty,” he said.
The money will also be used to help add to Fairfield’s endowment fund, so that less money from it will be put towards the current operating budget.
The endowment, which exceeds $100 million, is used overwhelmingly to fund scholarships and awards.
As of 2001, before the new campaign ended, Fairfield’s endowment assets per student exceeded those of similar universities such as Providence, Fordham and Villanova.
Von Arx made it a point to say that dollar amounts mean little compared to results, and referenced the seven recently built facilities such as the DiMenna-Nyselius Library and Barone Campus Center as ways the school is improving.
“Often campaigns are thought of just on the money raised,” he said.
“Though we did very well on that, what is significant is not just the dollar amount, but how much this campaign has really changed Fairfield University.”
Leave a Reply