Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University closed the 2004-2005 fiscal year with a record-breaking $13.2 million received in cash gifts. According to Tom Hiles, WKU's vice president for Institutional Advancement, this figure represents a 6 percent increase over last year and a 41 percent increase over what was raised just five years ago.

"When Gary Ransdell became president in 1998, WKU was raising about $3.5 million annually," Hiles said. "This nearly 400 percent increase demonstrates the loyalty and commitment of our alumni and friends. It also speaks to Dr. Ransdell's vision to transform the University. Along with total dollars raised we are very proud of our annual fund participation, which puts us in the top 5 percent of comprehensive universities nationwide."

WKU President Gary Ransdell said the University's fund-raising achievements have helped pave the way in meeting WKU's overall goals for national distinction. "Our success in garnering private support has been a primary force behind our definitive transformation of WKU from a university of regional importance to a university of national prominence," he said. "Our alumni and friends are critical to our vision to become a leading national public university."

In annual giving, WKU won the 2005 Kentucky Challenge for young alumni giving participation. The Kentucky Challenge was a yearlong friendly competition that compared annual giving participation from alumni who graduated in the last decade from public universities in the Commonwealth. In addition to WKU, participating universities were: Eastern Kentucky University, Morehead State University, Northern Kentucky University, the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville.

According to Donald Smith, WKU's assistant vice president for Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, with 1,472 young alumni donors WKU achieved a 9.4 percent participation of giving among young alumni -- a number that was more than two percentage points higher than its nearest challenger.

"Institutions across the country are looking for new and innovative ways to educate young alumni about the importance of supporting their alma maters, so the Kentucky Challenge provided a perfect opportunity achieve the concomitant purposes of raising private support and demonstrating institutional pride through this friendly competition," Smith said. "WKU is very fortunate to have generous and loyal alumni, and we are pleased to have placed first in this challenge."

In addition, WKU's overall alumni participation rose to 16.4 percent during the 2004-2005 year. With 15,778 alumni participating, this marks the highest number of alumni that have ever made an annual gift to the institution. President's Circle membership also rose to a record-breaking 1,807 members - a 7 percent increase over last year and more than double the number from five years ago. The President's Circle recognizes donors who make an annual gift of $1,000 or more each year.

"Alumni giving is the foundation for any strong development program," Smith said. "When alumni make gifts to the institution, they are demonstrating their vote of confidence in the direction the University is heading and the quality of their own Western experience. WKU is a very special place and has meant a great deal to the alumni who have passed through its halls, and we are grateful to all the alumni who continue to perpetuate the Western Spirit through their generous philanthropic support."

WKU's total endowment has also seen phenomenal growth within the last five years. At year-end, the combined total endowment is at $75.3 million - a 10 percent increase from last year's figures and triple the total from just five years ago.

"Endowment is a benchmark for quality," Hiles said. "WKU has one of the fastest-growing endowments in the country. This endowment supports scholarship, a quality faculty, capital projects, and numerous other priorities. We are very appreciative that our alumni see the importance of investing in our endowment."

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For information, contact Institutional Advancement at (270) 745-6208.