September 3, 1999

Major increase in fund-raising translates into great things for Loyola

Last year was a record-setting year in fundraising. Nearly $8.4 million was received in cash or cash equivalents, one of the strongest years in university history, according to Anne Baños, executive director of development. The previous year, the figure was approximately $6 million. This represents a 38 percent increase in gifts received by the university.

The impressive $8.4 million translates into $6.8 million for physical facilities and new endowment funds; more than $840,000 in restricted funds, gifts which are used for university operations in they year they are received but restricted to a particular college or program; and more than $690,000 in unrestricted funds which are used for general university operations. This is truly remarkable, Baños says, "because it happened in the same year that we finished the capital campaign." She continues that while a lot of the credit goes to the hardworking development staff, "accolades must go the many people who have responded wonderfully to the fundraisers' efforts. Among the list of generous contributors are alumni, deans, faculty, staff, foundations, and friends of the university."

Equally as significant is the major increase in the number of the people participating in the continued growth of Loyola. Last year, 448 parents contributed to the annual fund as opposed to 296 the previous year and 3,762 alumni financially supported the university as compared to 3,521 the year before.

Around the campus, evidence of these successes include the renovation of the chemistry labs; computer labs in the Monroe Library which serve 3,000 students weekly; the arrival of Scott Frederickson, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation chair in the College of Music; the establishment and October 22 dedication of the Lindy Boggs Center; increase in the number of professorships which allow faculty to enhance research and other scholarly pursuits; scholarships for students; and of course, the crown jewel, the J. Edgar and Louise S. Monroe Library.

The momentum from the history-making year continues. So far this year, three substantial gifts have been received. The Hearst Foundation contributed $100,000 for minority scholarships, the Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation issued a $60,000 challenge grant to the Office of the Annual Fund designed to encourage alumni giving, and The Gheens Foundation contributed $86,000 for a laboratory in computer science and math.