Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has exceeded its goal ahead of schedule to raise $100 million and is extending its fund-raising campaign goal to $200 million.
Rose-Hulman President Samuel Hulbert announced that $116 million has been received in cash or pledges as a result of the $100 million Vision to be the Best campaign.

“We have achieved our 10-year goal in five years,” Hulbert reported on the 125th anniversary of the college’s founding.
“The generous support of alumni, faculty, staff, foundations, corporations and other friends exceeded our expectations,” he said.
Hulbert said the new goal is to raise an additional $84 million to reach the $200 million total by 2004. “To aspire to be the best is an unfinished agenda,” Hulbert explained.

The second phase of the campaign will focus on seeking funds for human resources such as scholarships, endowments for faculty development and retention, and a Vision Fund to support curricular innovation, according to Hulbert. Among the funding priorities are:

    * $20 million for scholarships;
    * $13 million for technology to support laboratories and curricular innovations;
    * $10 million for endowed faculty chairs and professorships to recruit and retain the best teachers;
    * $8 million to endow professional development;
    * $3 million in operating and endowment gifts for a Vision Fund to support innovative teaching, curricular development and research.

    Hulbert emphasized that funds for faculty development, retention and recruitment, “focus at the heart of the Rose-Hulman education. We must be aggressive in hiring and retaining dedicated teachers. The subjects they teach are changing rapidly, and they must have increased opportunities for professional development to stay abreast of new technologies.”

    Facility improvements will also be a part of the extended campaign. An $8.5 million auditorium containing an alumni center and facilities for student drama and musical groups as well as guest speakers is planned. The building will also house offices for the development and external affairs staffs.
“Renovations are needed in Crapo Hall and the Logan Library,” Hulbert announced. “The existing auditorium would be remodeled for academic use,” he said. The estimated cost of the renovations is $4.5 million.

    A $5 million life sciences and biomedical engineering building will accommodate programs expected to grow as technology continues to play an increasing role in medical developments, Hulbert commented.

    The second phase of the campaign will also seek $20 million in annual fund support for day-to-day operational needs.

    The first phase of the campaign resulted in new academic and student services facilities, an increase in scholarships and more funds for academic equipment, and curricular development.

    Hulbert used an analogy of climbing to the world’s highest mountain tops to put into prospective Rose-Hulman’s fund-raising success and future financial needs.
“Our dream to reach the summit of educational excellence is in sight. The success of the first phase of the campaign has enabled us to proceed from a strong base camp to climb closer to our ultimate goal,” he explained. “Reaching the summit will ensure that the Rose-Hulman experience will be the best undergraduate education available to students for generations.”