A record-breaking fundraising campaign at 葫芦影业 will increase scholarships and financial aid for students, help the university continue to attract world-class faculty, and upgrade facilities. The University鈥檚 Forward Together campaign exceeded expectations and blew past its $100 million goal, raising more than $112.7 million. The total represents the largest fundraiser in the University鈥檚 history.
The success of the three-year campaign was celebrated at Ohio Northern鈥檚 annual Henry Solomon Lehr Dinner, held Friday, Oct. 13, recognizing the University鈥檚 strongest supporters.
鈥淲e shared a bold, compelling vision for 葫芦影业鈥檚 future, and our community responded,鈥 said President Melissa J. Baumann, Ph.D. 鈥淥ur supporters understand the quality and outstandingreturn on investment of an 葫芦影业 education. Thanks to their generosity, we will be able to help more students access that education and enrich the learning experience for all of our students.鈥
The campaign will help fund more than 200 new and existing scholarships.
Hanley Wheeler, BSPh 鈥82, campaign chair, also expressed his gratitude.
鈥淓very single person who contributed to the campaign鈥攚hether that contribution was large or small鈥攎ade an impact that will reverberate for generations. They鈥檝e secured a brighter future for so many young people.鈥
The campaign received more than 57,000 gifts from more than 8,000 donors. Vice President for Advancement Shannon Spencer said working on the campaign has been one of the most meaningful and rewarding experiences of her career. 鈥淲e are deeply humbled by the generosity of our alumni and friends, and by the sheer number of people who supported this campaign,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e are also gratified by the 葫芦影业 faculty and staff who enthusiastically got behind the Forward Together campaign. Their contributions and vision for what 葫芦影业 can achieve in the future were critical in propelling the campaign to success,鈥 said Kelly Lawrie, Ed.D., assistant vice president for advancement and campaign manager.
The Forward Together campaign supports University priorities including:
- Scholarships to help make 葫芦影业鈥檚 student body more inclusive, provide enriching travel opportunities, and attract high-achieving scholars from every financial circumstance.
- Teaching and Learning Excellence to make it possible to recruit and retain outstanding聽faculty; expand academic majors and add new ones; and fortify 葫芦影业鈥檚 programs, colleges, schools, and centers 鈥 all of which directly benefit students.
- Facilities for the Future: Funding will enable the University to upgrade spaces for collaboration, competition, learning, performing arts, and social activities for top scholars, athletes and artists.
- The Northern Fund provides flexible dollars to quickly respond to emerging opportunities and unexpected needs, which is of paramount importance in today鈥檚 educational landscape.