WKU News & Events

August 07, 2002

Cash Gifts To WKU Top $12 Million

Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University closed the 2001-2002 fiscal year with a
record-breaking $12.3 million received in cash gifts.

According to Tom Hiles, WKU's vice president for Institutional Advancement, this number represents a 25.3 percent increase over cash gifts received last year and a 186 percent increase over gifts received just four years ago. With the addition of these cash gifts, Western's "Investing in the Spirit" Campaign total now exceeds $79 million.

"In addition to total cash gifts, 125 donors made gifts of $10,000 or more last year," Hiles said. "This is up from just 13 donors who made major gifts at this level in 1997-1998. This extraordinary increase, in a challenging economic climate, is a tribute to the hard work, dedication and support of our alumni and friends. They have responded to the ambitious strategic plan articulated by President Ransdell for Western to be 'the best comprehensive public institution in Kentucky and among the best in the nation.' "

WKU President Gary Ransdell says this dramatic increase in gift deposits is a direct result of pledge payments received through the "Investing in the Spirit" Campaign. "Western could not be more pleased or proud of the support

we are receiving from alumni, friends and the corporate community," he said. "With limited state funding, it is the private sector that is providing the capacity to achieve our ambitious goals. We are grateful for the support received by every individual and corporation."

Don Vitale of Bowling Green, co-chair of the "Investing in the Spirit" Campaign, said, "The Campaign's strong momentum should enable us to achieve our goal of $90 million by June 30, 2003."

Cash gifts have grown from $4.2 million in 1997-98. WKU had set a goal of $8.7 million for 2001-02 and a goal of $10 million for 2002-03.

Private Gift Support (in millions)

Year	Amount	Goal
1997-98	$4.2
1998-99	$5.7	$4.9
1999-00	$8.2	$6.1
2000-01	$9.8	$7.4
2001-02	$12.3	$8.7

For more information, contact Tom Hiles at (270) 745-6208. More WKU news is available on the World Wide Web at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.