I suspect that the people who crafted
IT's motto—which doubles as the title of this magazine—devoted
considerable time and energy to the process. "Inventing
tomorrow" neatly summarizes the college's creative mission
just as it characterizes the work of our faculty, students,
and alumni. The future is what we're about, now and always.
Besides the pursuit of new technology and scientific knowledge,
however, there's another engine that drives what we do.
Like the University's other colleges and campuses, IT is
"devoted to the education of youth and welfare of the state,"
as the inscription on the façade of Northrop Auditorium
declares.
More than anything else, the University's dedication to
our common welfare is responsible for the huge success of
Campaign Minnesota, which began seven years ago with a goal
of raising $1.3 billion and ended June 30 with a total of
over $1.6 billion.
Over 220,000 donors made gifts to Campaign Minnesota—a
truly remarkable outpouring
of support for the University
and a ringing endorsement
of its ongoing service to
the community. I sincerely
hope our legislative leaders
interpret the campaign's
results correctly: not as
an excuse to cut state support
but rather as a signal that
people support this University
so much they will give of
their own assets to ensure
its bright future.
IT created a remarkable record during Campaign Minnesota.
Donors gave $158 million to IT during the past seven years,
a level of support that very few people would have believed
possible when we started the campaign in July 1996. However,
campaign statistics tell a story of exceptional generosity.
Of the nearly 13,000 donors to IT, over 9,000 were college
alumni. Faculty and staff accounted for 4 percent of the
total donors and 7 percent of the amount raised. IT received
36 gifts of $1 million or more, new bequest expectations
of over $60 million, and $108 million for various endowed
funds.
What I find especially noteworthy are the numbers relating
to our campaign priorities: $25.7 million for scholarships,
$12.9 million for fellowships, $21.5 million for new endowed
professorships and chairs, and almost $20 million for new
facilities and infrastructure.
At a gala event in mid-September, we paused to savor the
campaign's overwhelming success and to thank our donors
and everyone involved in the campaign. The event also presented
an opportunity to renew our commitment to IT and the University,
which face ongoing challenges: competition for the best
faculty and students, double-digit tuition increases, and
the struggle to maintain financial resources in a tough
economy. These issues are nothing new, but they are compounded
by what appears to be a diminished perception of public
universities and colleges as a "public good" worthy of state
support.
The dean's advisory board certainly will be involved in
finding ways to meet these challenges. IT will continue
to move forward by building on our strengths in biological,
energy, and environmental research components.
Now more than ever, support from alumni and friends is
critical to our efforts. Campaign Minnesota was a resounding
success because you, too, believe in the motto that guides
everything we do here.
Thank you for investing in tomorrow.
PHIL OSWALD was director of development for the Institute
of Technology from 2000-04. You can reach Tom Kinsey, interim
director of development, at 612-625-4509.
