Gifts Hit Target Mark for College

Karen Sunabakca, recipient of this year's William E. Valente Music scholarship, with Cecilia Calmes.

The College of Letters and Science raised more than $4 million in the 2006-07 fiscal year, the second highest total in the history of the college. The $4 million slightly exceeded the goal for the year. The funds will be used for student scholarships and fellowships, faculty and research programs.

"The college’s trajectory is right on target with our long-term goals," says Maureen Miller, associate dean for the college relations and development department. "The number of people who now support our students and faculty has more than doubled since 2004-05, when we had almost 800 gifts. This year we have almost 2,000."

The largest gift was from the estate of Freedman J. Gadberry, who bequeathed $1 million to be used for scholarships for art students. Following that amount were several grants in support of the college’s research, totaling almost $950,000.

Much of the increase in the number of donors was because Letters and Science launched its first college-specific annual fund drive this spring and it was a huge success. Student callers received $106,001 in gifts and pledges from 840 alumni and parents during March and April. With an average gift size of $123 this makes College’s alums and friends some of the most generous on campus!

Also, the college’s Herbert A. Young Society, a special giving club for donors who give $1,000 or more annually, grew to113 members, up from 84 the previous year. Young Society funds are used immediately by the college deans’ where the need is greatest. For instance, Young Society funds were used to start the Middle East and South Asia Studies minor. The deans think of the fund as "academic venture capital" that allows the College to create the best possible learning environment for undergraduate and graduate students.