President L. Jay Lemons addressing the crowd at Nicholas A. Lopardo Stadium during the Pre-Game Spectacular highlighting a new campaign initiative called Changing Lives, Building Futures.

As part of the Sept. 30 Pre-Game Spectacular, Susquehanna University President L. Jay Lemons announced the public launch of a campaign initiative called Changing Lives, Building Futures.

Changing Lives, Building Futures is a set of initiatives aimed at further strengthening the student-based, collaborative learning environment that is the hallmark of a Susquehanna education. Its fund-raising goal is to secure $70 million in new gift commitments to advance key academic, endowment and building priorities.

The centerpiece of the initiative is a new science facility, slated for construction on the site now occupied by North Hall parking lot, across University Avenue from Seibert Hall. More advanced laboratory and teaching space will better prepare students for careers in the ever-growing, critical science professions of the 21st Century. The new science building will house the departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Earth and Environmental Sciences. A successful fund-raising effort will put the building on a schedule to be completed by Fall 2010. Phase 2 construction will include major renovations to the existing Fisher Science Hall, enabling several academic departments and programs to relocate to better and more centrally located campus space.

Concurrent goals aim to more actively engage alumni, parents and friends as opportunity builders and contributors to the high quality educational experience provided by Susquehanna University. "Changing Lives, Building Futures is about much more than raising money," says Lemons. "It's about making contributions that come in all shapes and sizes -- contributions every graduate, every student, every parent and every member of our community can make to help us continue to prepare students for lives of achievement, leadership and service."

At a place where students are at the heart of a community passionate about teaching and committed to successful graduate school and career outcomes, Lemons says, there is always room for another mentor, advocate, internship sponsor, or friend. Another way to contribute to the Changing Lives, Building Futures initiative is to tell us your story by going to changinglives.susquehanna.edu. As Lemons told those gathered in the stands on September 30, "There are stories in the stands today that will convince tomorrow's students that Susquehanna is the right place for them to spend four years. So please share your story. It can be a meaningful contribution to changing a life and building a future."

Three special moments reflecting the theme of "changing lives" were unveiled during the Pre-Game Spectacular. Read all about them here.