WKU Celebrates Record
Accomplishments In Fund Raising

August 15, 2003

Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University closed the 2002-2003 fiscal year on June 30, 2003, and topped the $12 million mark in cash donations for the second year in a row.

Tom Hiles, WKU's vice president for Institutional Advancement, said: "When Gary Ransdell began his presidency, Western was raising $3 million a year. The 400 percent increase in giving is a direct reflection of both his bold vision for Western's future and the generosity of the Western family."

Hiles said during the past five years Western has:

· Increased annual cash donations from $3 million to more than $12 million

· Raised President's Circle membership (honors donors who give $1,000 or more each year) from 376 members to 1,438

· Funded 27 new endowed professorships in a number of important academic disciplines, ranging from music, to business, to engineering

· Raised $29 million for 81 new scholarship endowments

· Received 25 gifts of $1 million or more

· Increased annual corporate support from $800,000 to $3.8 million

· More than doubled the overall endowment from $24 million to $56 million

Dr. Ransdell said he is pleased by the strides Western has made.

"In 1998, a journey started to transform Western through the Investing in the Spirit Campaign and be the best comprehensive public institution in Kentucky and among the best in the nation," he said. "With continued support and an increased endowment, Western will maintain its ability to attract and retain quality faculty and students and continue its quest for national prominence."

Western will celebrate the conclusion of the Investing the Spirit Campaign at the President's Circle Gala on Sept.19. The official Campaign totals and accomplishments will be announced at that time.

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.

-WKU-