WESLEYAN CAMPAIGN EXCEEDS GOAL AND STILL GOING

For immediate release: Wednesday, November 3, 2004

(MIDDLETOWN, CT) – The Wesleyan Campaign has exceeded its $250 million goal, with $252 million pledged and two months remaining. Campaign leaders hope to reach $275 million before the books close on December 31, 2004. Scholarships and the annual fund remain top priorities.

"Our success is making a big difference to the Wesleyan community," said President Doug Bennet. "Our ability to provide additional grant support to students who qualify for financial aid has a strong and positive impact for students and their families. We have increased the size of the faculty, adding teaching strength and improving the student-faculty ratio. And we have begun a series of renovation and construction projects that support teaching, learning and campus life."

"We are transforming fund-raising at Wesleyan," said Wesleyan Vice President for University Relations Barbara-Jan Wilson. To date, alumni participation during the Campaign period stands at 68 percent. Annual cash receipts have increased from approximately $10 million per year to about $30 million per year over the course of the Campaign. Fifty-three donors have given gifts of $1 million or more.

Wesleyan seeks $60 million in endowment for scholarships, of which it has received gifts and pledges worth $42.9 million to date. It has garnered $39.4 million of the $45 million it seeks for faculty and academic program support. It has achieved $45.4 million of its $55 million facilities goal. "We hope to meet or exceed each of these goals by the end of the Campaign," said Wilson.

"Our campaign goals are compelling to donors because they reflect Wesleyan's most important strategic priorities," Bennet said. "The Campaign expresses and supports our plan for Wesleyan. It is succeeding thanks to the effective and generous volunteer efforts of the Board of Trustees and Wesleyan's alumni and parent leaders. We are finding support from across the spectrum of our alumni, parents and friends and, on behalf of our students and faculty, we are most grateful."

For more information contact David Pesci, Director or Media Relations at 860-685-5612 or dpesci@wesleyan.edu.