April 05, 2001

WKU Campaign Tops $60 Million Mark At Annual President's Circle Gala; Local Business Leader Provides Leadership Gift

Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University will announce tonight during its annual President's Circle Gala that it has reached the $60 million mark in its five-year "Investing in the Spirit" Campaign. According to Tom Hiles, vice president for Development and Alumni Relations, the University has raised $60.1 million, which represents 77 percent of the five-year goal of $78 million.

The President's Circle Gala, in its third year, recognizes Western donors who give $1,000 or more each year. The President's Circle has a goal to reach 1,000 members this year.
"We are gratified by the tremendous outpouring of support from our alumni and friends," Hiles said. "This Campaign will ensure that Western will be able to compete for quality faculty and students even during economic downturns."

Other highlights include:

• The University's combined endowment stands at $43.6 million, toward a five-year goal of $50 million.
• President's Circle membership for the year stands at 907. This represents a 71 percent increase from 1999 membership numbers.
• Western's private gifts reached $8.2 million last year and have already reached $7.7 million with three months remaining in this fiscal year; cash donations have increased 173 percent since the beginning of President Gary Ransdell's tenure.
• Thus far, Western has received 13,715 gifts from 9,574 donors during this fiscal year.

Don Vitale, co-chair for the Campaign, said he is pleased and excited by the progress Western has made toward its Campaign objectives. "I am confident that our recent gifts will create the momentum necessary to propel us toward our goal," he said. "Alumni, friends, and the corporate community have stepped forward to say that a strong Western is a priority."

President Ransdell said: "We are grateful to our Campaign co-chairs, Don Vitale and Mary Nixon, and all of our Campaign leadership for their involvement which has allowed us to reach this important milestone."

Hiles also announced a $100,000 Campaign commitment from Bowling Green businessman Cornelius Martin. His gift will provide $25,000 to endow the "Gail Martin Lecture Series" for Women's Studies, $25,000 to endow the "Cornelius Martin Minority Teacher Recruitment Fund," and $50,000 to create the "Cornelius Martin Board Room."
Hiles said: "Western is grateful for Mr. Martin's continued personal and professional service and support to the University as a past member of the WKU Foundation Board of Trustees and a current member of both the WKU Board of Regents and the Board of Advisors. We are very appreciative of this generous, leadership commitment."

Of his gift, Martin said: "I make contributions to many organizations, but I feel there are few that are more meaningful than the contribution I make to Western Kentucky University.

"My contribution to the Women's Studies program will give students the opportunity to hear and see first hand some of the most outstanding and distinguished speakers in the nation," he said. "Likewise, support of minority teacher recruitment will help provide an opportunity for minority students to stay at Western or better themselves in their academic achievements."

Ransdell said Western is particularly grateful for Martin's contribution in support of the "Cornelius Martin Board Room." "Mr. Martin's contribution to the Regent's Board Room will serves as a reminder of the time and commitment he made to Western while serving on the Board of Regents," he said.

Kristen Bale of Glasgow, chair of the WKU Board of Regents, said Western's regents express their appreciation for "Martin's service on the Board and his generous gift to the 'Investing the Spirit' Campaign for Western Kentucky University. Mr. Martin's gift demonstrates his belief in the academic mission of Western Kentucky University and supports the positive progress of the University as it aspires to be the best comprehensive public institution in Kentucky and among the best in the nation."

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