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Villanova launches "For the Greater Great" $600m campaign

By Mike J.

Over Homecoming Weekend, the Villanova Board of Directors announced a new historic campaign, "For the Greater Great"; a $600m 5-year comprehensive charge. It will be a campaign that shows Villanovans love challenges and face the world as an underdog set to be completed by 2018.

This comprehensive capital campaign will "celebrate the accomplishments of Villanova; and highlight what else Villanovans can do."

Through the quiet phase of the campaign, "For the Greater Great" has already raised $285m.

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As details from campus emerge, check back to VU Hoops for more information.

Without a doubt, this campaign "moves the needle". According to Fr. Peter over the weekend, this will help the University, "take the steps forward to move into a position with schools we compare ourselves with," as Villanova begins the process to move from a preeminent regional university to a national one.

The following has been provided by the Office of University Advancement...

Purpose

Where others see impossibility, Villanovans see opportunities for greatness. We push past "okay,' ignore "good" and leave "well enough" in the dust- not just for ourselves, but for a larger purpose.

Some call that larger purpose, the "greater good." At Villanova, we think that is aiming too low. We prefer the "Greater Great."

Now is the time. Villanova is the community. We are the leaders. Poised and driven, we'll ignite change that serves the greater great- across campus and across the world.

Formula for Success

Our formula for success is simple and unchanged. Academic excellence is our bedrock. Augustinian values are our compass. With them, we'll set in motion a new chapter in the history of our great University. It will be led by you- the women and men who stand as the stewards of Villanova's uncommon legacy.

We will deepen our foundation so that our structure may soar. And the restless hearts of this community will continue pushing- with more force than ever- to change the world for better.

Campaign Goals

  1. Cultivate Academic Innovation
  2. Attract & Support World-Class Teacher-Scholars
  3. Expand Student Opportunities and Financial Aid
  4. Build a Premier Student-Centered Living & Learning Environment

Fundraising Priorities

  1. Endowment, $250m (Student scholarship support, Faculty endowed chairs and professorships, Academic Centers of Excellence, Interdisciplinary curricular and extracurricular initiatives)
  2. Academic & Programmatic Priorities, $125m (Student and campus life, Faculty recruitment and retention, Undergraduate student research and course development, General scholarship fund, Student "personalized learning" initiatives)
  3. Facilities, $150m (Athletic Pavilion Renovation, Performing Arts Center, South Lancaster Enhancement Project, Falvey Library Renovation)
  4. Annual Fund, $75m

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Letter from the President

October 26, 2013
Dear Alumni, Parents and Friends:
I am proud to announce a historic event for Villanova University.

This evening, we publicly launched a $600 million comprehensive capital campaign--For the Greater Great: The Villanova Campaign to Ignite Change. This bold Campaign will enable us to reach our strategic objectives by further cultivating academic innovation; investing in recruiting and retaining the finest teacher-scholars; dramatically enhancing financial aid and student opportunities; and continuing to build a premier living-learning environment here on campus.

This Campaign, the most ambitious in our University's 171-year history, is anchored by the largest-ever gift to the University--a transformative $50 million commitment from alumnus James C. Davis '81 and his wife, Kim. The Davis' gift exemplifies the goals of the Campaign, including the importance of increasing the University's endowment and bolstering the student experience through new interdisciplinary academic approaches.

Designated for the Villanova School of Business, this lead gift is a continuation of the Davis' significant investment in the University and its students. Their generous commitment will enable VSB to further enhance its standing as a nationally ranked business school and to bolster its world-class student experience by creating the Davis Family Funds for student enrichment, scholarship, and strategic and capital initiatives.

Together with Terence M. O'Toole '80, Jim serves as Campaign Co-Chair. Thanks to Jim's and Terry's leadership and the tremendous efforts of many others, Villanova begins this Campaign in a strong position.

We already have raised nearly $300 million--half of our current goal and the total goal attained when the University's previous campaign concluded in 2007. Terry and his wife, Polly, have made a $10 million Campaign commitment, establishing the O'Toole Family Presidential Scholarship Program; and another $10 million commitment has been made anonymously toward the new Performing Arts Center. Already, a remarkable 50 donors have made gifts of $1 million or more to the Campaign, totaling $164 million. They join the more than 44,000 Villanovans to-date who have contributed toward the success of this milestone Campaign.

I am truly grateful to both Co-Chairs for their landmark gifts and to all our donors. I hope these examples of generosity are a catalyst for our entire community to invest in the Villanova experience and make its transformative effects accessible to others. Every gift, no matter the size, is important and will make a difference as we embark together on this momentous Campaign.

For the Greater Great: The Villanova Campaign to Ignite Change embraces inclusion and is inspired by the successes of our community. Augustine's restless heart is undeniably alive in all of you. As we move forward, we will advance the greater good by always striving for the greater great--igniting change wherever we go.

This is a time of incredible momentum and possibility for Villanova. Alumni engagement is at an all-time high with dramatically increased alumni participation and giving at all levels. And this Campaign is a tremendous opportunity--a call to action--for us to come together and support the next generation of Villanovans. Alumni, parents, students, faculty and staff touch every field, every discipline and every industry, all around the world. As a community, we have incredible reach. We dream how to make the world better. Through this Campaign, we will make it happen.

Because of the impressive achievements of all of you, our University is on an impressive upward trajectory. I thank you for your support and invite you to join us as we push forward to the next historic chapter of our great University. Together we can accomplish anything!

Sincerely,

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Fr. Peter Donohue, OSA
President

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