Lafayette Reporter

The  University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s largest fundraising campaign has  reached $341 million in contributions, bringing it nearly 70 percent to  its $500 million goal. 

President Dr. Joseph Savoie announced the campaign’s progress during the State of the University on Wednesday.

“Philanthropy is essential to our continued growth and success.  Private dollars enable the University to meet its most essential needs,”  Savoie said.

“I am very grateful to the donors, alumni and friends who have  contributed to the campaign to date. Their generosity – and that of the  future supporters who will enable the campaign to reach its finish line –  will help shape the future of the University for years to come,” he  added. 

In the fiscal year that ended in June, the campaign raised $31.9  million, the second-largest annual fundraising total in University  history.

John Blohm, vice president for University Advancement and chief executive officer of the UL Lafayette Foundation,  said the campaign’s progress “demonstrates the value our alumni and  friends have placed on supporting the positive impact the University  has.”

“Our donors are dreaming big and infusing life-changing and  forward-moving momentum in UL Lafayette’s academic, research and service  missions,” Blohm said.  

Together: The Campaign for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is the largest single fundraising initiative in the University’s history. It launched publicly in November.

The campaign’s fundraising priorities include support for: 

• Student success and teaching, including increasing scholarship access; enhancing teaching and learning environments; and optimizing facilities for students.
• Research and discovery, including attracting and  retaining top-tier faculty members; expanding research programs and  partnerships; and enhancing research.
• Service to the community, which includes creating and  enhancing performance spaces; expanding impact on K-12 public  education; and strengthening the University’s role in health care  workforce creation.

The $341 million the campaign has raised to date includes the two largest investments in University history – $20 million from LHC Group to the College of Nursing & Health Sciences and $15 million from Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center to Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics. Both were received in 2021.

Visit here for more information or to contribute to the Together campaign.

Graphic credit: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 

Original source can be found here.