Goal surpassed

Nearly a year ahead of its scheduled completion, the University of North Carolina Wilmington wrapped up The Campaign for UNCW: Soaring to Greatness, surpassing its $65 million goal. "Our donors' campaign contributions show that they value the learning experiences, the economic opportunities, the research endeavors and the outreach activities that UNCW contributes to our region and to the state," said Wendy Murphy, UNCW Board of Trustees member and past chair. "Our students and their success are the future of North Carolina."

The campaign was a comprehensive fundraising effort focused on increasing private contributions to the university in:

• • student excellence
• • academic excellence
• • faculty excellence
• • regional and global engagement
• • the annual fund
• • athletics

 

The university's top priority was to increase the number of and funding for student scholarships, and UNCW's donors indicated through their overwhelmingly generous response that they agreed. Over the course of the campaign, donors contributed more than $29 million to create 239 new scholarships.

"This is a historic day for UNC Wilmington," said Chancellor Gary L. Miller in announcing the completion of the campaign. "We have raised nearly $66.5 million for UNCW - and we've done it a year ahead of schedule! What a great anniversary gift for a university that turns 65 years old this year.

"Given the global impact of the economic recession, I cannot tell you how impressed I am with the success of this campaign and the clear dedication of our donors and supporters to our university."

Miller stated that the planning and early fundraising for the campaign began in July 2005, led by his predecessor, Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo, whom he called "a dedicated advocate for UNCW." The final and public phase began in February 2011. At that time, UNCW had raised nearly 89 percent of the campaign goal or more than $57 million. Having surpassed its final goal well ahead of schedule, UNCW officially concluded the campaign on Jan. 31, 2012.