Dear Friends,

Despite an economy in deep distress, the Changing Lives, Building Futures campaign has experienced a great deal of success, and it’s a pleasure to provide a brief update and express sincere thanks to donors who are making this possible.

We were buoyed by a number of positive events that occurred in late 2008 and generated terrific momentum. Progress on the new science building has occurred in many quarters. Most obvious was Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell’s delivery in August of $4 million as part of a capital redevelopment program, followed by additional funding totaling $1 million that state Sen. John Gordner and Rep. Russ Fairchild leveraged on the university’s behalf. Less obvious but equally meaningful has been the “purchase” of brick pavers in the science building’s courtyard (which will replicate the periodic table of elements), as well as “green” project contributions totaling more than $600,000 made by hundreds of alumni, parents and friends. Project cost savings resulting from an increasingly competitive marketplace for construction materials and services has been another welcome development.

In 2008 we also saw the campus portion of the campaign generate nearly $1.9 million from members of the Susquehanna faculty and staff, far more than the $1.25 million target, with gifts coming mainly in support of the science project and the New Horizons Fund that will assist students in meeting a new requirement to immerse themselves in a cross-cultural learning experience in order to graduate.

Spring 2009 has taken us beyond the campaign total of Susquehanna’s last major fund-raising program. The Susquehanna 2000 campaign ended nine years ago with $60.2 million in gifts and grants. We appear poised to take a healthy run at the current campaign’s goal of raising $70 million by the campaign’s close in 2010. While working to meet campaign targets, the university is also taking steps to contain costs in a way that helps maintain affordability for students and families and yet retains high value in a Susquehanna education.

We are acutely mindful that economic developments over the last several months are a concern for many, and yet we have also seen evidence of opportunity. I believe this is because education remains a priority for so many of us. We are living through and learning from world events that have steered us into uncharted waters. Students’ futures are being shaped by these events and also by local ones: in classrooms and labs; on service trips and civic engagements; as presenters, performers and authors. The gifts—and givers—enabling this generation of Susquehannans to learn and grow are enormously important and greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Sincerely,

James W. Summers ’64
Chair
Changing Lives, Building Futures campaign

Posted August 21st, 2009.