The first campuswide multimillion-dollar campaign has exceeded its
fund-raising goal of $15.35 million for student support by raising
$15.54 million since it was launched in October 1993.The Students First campaign was an unprecedented effort by UC Davis to reach out to its community of supporters--including alumni, donors, business and community leaders, foundations, corporations, faculty, staff, students and parents--to raise money exclusively for scholarships, fellowships, low-interest loans and student enrichment programs.
UC Davis students are benefiting already. More than 80 scholarships were distributed to undergraduates this fall through the Students First scholarship fund, one of many new scholarships established during the campaign.
Companies such as Monsanto, Amgen, Genentech, Quaker Oats, the J.M. Long Foundation and Marriott have made generous contributions to support scholarships, fellowships and student enrichment programs. Faculty and staff also participated in a matching-gift challenge by the Associated Students of UC Davis.
Although more than a dozen other fund-raising projects are being conducted across campus, Students First was the first and only campuswide campaign.
"This campaign was launched after former Chancellor Ted Hullar's departure from campus, but we shouldn't forget that the initial concept was his," said Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef. "He saw the importance of helping our students in the midst of the highest fee increases in the history of the university."
Executive Director of Development Donna Blakemore, who administered the campaign, said, "We're very proud to reach our goal in such a short period of time. The commitment of our volunteers and donors to this effort demonstrated that the students continue to be at the heart of everything we do on campus."
To maximize their fund-raising efforts for students, six units will continue the campaign through June 30: the Cal Aggie Alumni Association, College of Engineering, Division of Biological Sciences, Graduate Studies, Student Affairs and School of Law.
The campus is committed to keeping the focus on the Students First initiatives to support students and their families financially through the Office of Student Affairs. "Our accomplishments with this campaign have shown us that we are ready to move ahead with larger fund-raising efforts," said Ken Nitzberg, campaign co-chair and chair of the UC Davis Foundation.
"Students First was one of the reasons the campus raised a record breaking total of $41.5 million in private gifts for 1994-95. The campaign will also have an impact on our total for 1995-96, which we expect to go over $50 million."
A campaign celebration is scheduled for October 4, 1996, when the Students First recognition fountain will be unveiled near the Coffee House with the names of all donors of $1,000 or more.
