Summer 2004

10-Year Fundraising Campaign Receives Widespread Support

By David Piker

The $200 million goal of the Vision to be the Best campaign, the largest fund-raising effort in Rose- Hulman history, has been exceeded by $53 million. The campaign officially ended June 30.

The campaign total includes cash gifts and financial commitments.

Early success of the fund-raising effort resulted in the original $100 million goal being increased to twice that amount in September, 1999, because the goal was exceeded after only five years of the scheduled 10-year fund drive.

Richter described the campaign's success as a milestone for Rose-Hulman. "Support to the campaign is a strong indication that our constituents have a high level of confidence in the institution and pride in what we have achieved and will achieve in the future," he stated.

During the campaign, new facilities have been constructed to enhance academic programs, athletics and recreation, campus services, and student life.

"While the $100 million in new facilities is easy to see and has been vital to the college's progress, it is also important that the campaign has received $80 million for student financial aid. An additional $20 million has been received for technology and laboratory equipment," Richter said.

The campaign was supported by the largest gift Rose-Hulman has ever received from an individual. The $14 million gift from Michael and Deborah Hatfield resulted in the construction of Hatfield Hall that includes a new theatre, facilities for student performing arts groups, alumni center and administrative offices. Hatfield, a 1984 Rose-Hulman graduate, is the founder and chief strategy officer of Calix Inc. in Petaluma, Calif.

The largest scholarship gift in school history was announced last November when Rose-Hulman was notified that it would receive $7 million for financial aid from the estate of alumnus and former trustee Michael Percopo of New York City. The gift will increase the number of four-year, full-tuition scholarships offered through the Michael and Christa Percopo Scholarship Fund. Percopo was a 1943 graduate of Rose-Hulman. He retired as president of Squibb International and then served as president of MWP Associates International in New York City.

Vital support came from the Lilly Endowment of Indianapolis in the form of gifts to create and grow Rose-Hulman Ventures, assist in the construction of a new residence hall, develop the highly successful Homework Hotline, and provide funds for improvements to academic facilities and programs.

New undergraduate degree programs started during the campaign include applied biology, biomedical engineering, engineering physics, and software engineering. A new graduate program in engineering management was started during the second year of the campaign.

"The campaign has created new sources of gifts that will be important as Rose-Hulman seeks to acquire increased support to meet the financial challenges associated with continued improvements to our academic programs, facilities and increasing scholarships to worthy students,” Richter noted.