OSWEGO -- The State University of New York launched
a $3 billion fund-raising challenge, when Chancellor Robert L. King met
with the board of trustees in March, and SUNY Oswego is planning to
meet its share of the challenge.
The $1 billion that the 64 campuses raised between
2000 and 2003 counts as the foundation for SUNY's new "$3 Billion
Challenge." The second phase is projected to raise an additional $2
billion in increased support from corporations, foundations and
individuals between now and 2012 based on fund-raising targets at each
of the 64 campuses.
Oswego's share of the system-wide $2 billion goal is
$20.25 million. "All the money raised by the campuses will remain on
the campuses to be used for scholarships, endowed faculty chairs,
investments in new equipment and technologies, research and other
campus-based initiatives," King said.
Oswego is organizing its first comprehensive
campaign, with plans for a public kickoff next fall, said Kevin
Mahaney, Oswego's vice president for development and public affairs.
The two largest gifts in college history -- $2.2 million from Charles
Wiley, a 1922 graduate, and $1 million from the late Girgis Ghobrial,
emeritus professor -- got Oswego's campaign off to a promising start,
Mahaney said.
King credited SUNY presidents and staff with
tremendous growth in philanthropy for the campuses. Giving across SUNY
increased 14 percent in 2002 and 60 percent in 2003.
"Philanthropy will provide that margin of
excellence, which will propel this university to the front rank of
public higher education in America," the chancellor said.