The University of Central Arkansas yesterday announced a $35 million goal during the kickoff of its first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign, “New Vision, New Century: The Centennial Campaign for UCA.”
The campaign goal was announced during a pep-rally style event on the campus lawn as hundreds from UCA and the surrounding communities looked on. Tuba players from the marching band helped UCA President Lu Hardin make the announcement by unveiling each number of the goal on the bells of their instruments. As the final number was unveiled, the amount flashed on two large projection screens on opposite sides of a large stage and the marching band began playing the university?s fight song.
The kickoff event also included performances by the UCA Jazz Band and the UCA Marching Band, an appearance by the cheerleading squad, video presentations, festival-style refreshments and a commemorative mug giveaway.
During the program, UCA announced a new record for the largest single private gift to the university, a $3 million bequest from the estate of Mary Ellen White Crow and Jake Crow of Elaine, Ark. The gift will be added to a scholarship the couple established in 2004 for descendents of the White and Crow families as well as students from Phillips and Faulkner counties. The gift was presented to the university by Joe White of Conway, a nephew of the late couple. “The University of Central Arkansas is so honored that Mr. and Mrs. Crow decided to invest their estate in the students at UCA. This gift will provide thousands of scholarships for full tuition and books to over 40 students each year, adding up to thousands of students for generations to come,” UCA President Lu Hardin said.
The university also recognized a private gift by Robin Nix of Jonesboro to purchase new uniforms for the UCA Marching Band. Nix, who was drum major and a member of the band when he attended UCA in the 1960s, said, “I knew last year they really needed uniforms. The uniforms were 15 or 20 years old, and the band itself had grown so there weren?t enough for them, so they marched in T- shirts. I met with President Hardin to talk to him about some uniforms, and as he is so good at doing, he convinced me to help out. So I committed to buy 275 uniforms.”
The kickoff of UCA’s first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign coincides with the centennial anniversary of the institution’s founding. “We decided that there would be no better time for launching our first campaign than during our 100-year anniversary,” said Vice President of Advancement and Development Kelley Erstine. “We are delighted to make this announcement today of our campaign goal and excited to say that we have already raised almost 60 percent of the goal. Our fundraising staff has worked hard to make this first campaign successful, and we appreciate the willingness of our alumni and friends in stepping up to support our efforts.”
Since the campaign fundraising efforts began in 2004, UCA has raised over $18 million for three areas identified as priorities for the campaign: endowments, facility enhancements and annual support.
The university is seeking support to establish endowed funds for student scholarships, faculty resources and program needs. Endowed funds are permanently established with the UCA Foundation. A minimum of $10,000 is required for endowment. Once a fund is endowed, only the interest from the fund is used to support an area of the donor?s choosing.
The university has also identified several facility enhancement needs for academics, athletics and campus beautification. Academic priorities include new buildings for the College of Business, College of Education, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and the nursing program. The athletics department is raising funds for upgrades to facilities such as the baseball field, new construction for soccer and track and the relocation of the tennis courts.
Funds are also being raised through annual pledges that will be used to build the Foundation?s Margin of Excellence, or unrestricted, fund and to add to existing endowments for scholarships and program support. The majority of UCA?s annual support is raised during the foundation?s bi-annual phonathon.
For more information on UCA?s Centennial Campaign or how to make a donation, contact the UCA Foundation at 501-450-5288, toll free 1-800-981-4426 or email campaign@uca.edu.
