Capital Campaign Kick-Off
The University of Michigan-Flint launched the largest capital campaign in its almost 50-year history on Saturday, April 16, 2005. With community support and encouragement, the Flint campus is embarking on a three-year fundraising campaign with a goal of 30-million dollars.
U-M President Mary Sue Coleman joined Flint Chancellor Juan E. Mestas and campus and community leaders at a pre-kick-off luncheon. President Coleman noted the strong ties the Flint campus has with the community.
"We are sharing our vision with leaders of both the University and the community, because our future is a common one. There is no university in this state that has a stronger bond with its neighbors," said President Coleman. "Together, the leaders of Flint and the UM-Flint have joined forces to develop programs, facilities and, most important - exemplary graduates - to contribute to the progress of Flint and Genesee County."
"This campaign is not about money. It is about people. That is the only way it could be, because the university is about people, people engaged in the never-ending pursuit of knowledge and understanding," said UM-Flint Chancellor Juan E. Mestas. "We need more scholarships, because no student who has the ability, the preparation and the will to succeed at UM-Flint should be denied that opportunity because she or he cannot afford it."
"Imagine: The University of Michigan-Flint Difference" is the banner that will identify the various publications and events aimed to educate donors about the university's needs. Specifically, the capital campaign will raise money for scholarships, student research, Honors Program, library resources, facility improvements, funding professorships, and university and community partnerships as well as other priorities that have been determined by campus leadership.
"This is the most comprehensive Capital Campaign ever conducted on this campus," said Kristen Skivington, acting Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement. "It's not about us. It's about the community and through the priorities of this campaign, responding to the needs of the community."
With many generous leadership gifts from foundations, corporations, alumni and friends of the university already received, Skivington said more than half of the campaign goal has been reached. During a special kick-off presentation in the UM-Flint Theatre, she acknowledged a number of leadership gifts from alumni and friends.
· Francine and David Zick (B.S. '73) for student research, laboratories, scholarships and support of the Physics and Engineering Departments.
· Kathleen and John Heitmann (B.A.'70), for accounting scholarships.
· Helene Streich, for support of the Early Childhood Development Center.
There were two surprise leadership gifts also announced at the kick-off.
Harry Piper (B.A.'53, JD '56 AA) wanted to surprise his wife Wanda (B.A.'68 AA) with something special. She learned at the kick-off that a curriculum laboratory is being established and named after her in the School of Education and Human Services.
Just two days before the kick-off, long-time friends of the Flint campus Al (BBA, MBA'51 AA) and Barbara (BA'50 AA) Koegel made a surprise leadership gift to the university.
David and Francine Zick, Harry and Wanda Piper, Dr. Gregg (B.S. '77, M.D. '81 AA) and Karen Pane, Michael and Gloria Rachor, Bill (BBA '57, MBA '65 AA)and Kitty (ABED ' 58 AA) Moeller, and Ghassan and Manal Saab are co-chairs of the Capital Campaign.
Skivington acknowledges that while more than half the goal has been reached, the second half will be the most important.
"The completion of the campaign over the next three years will be the result of developing a broad base of support by bringing in new supporters and advocates. It's a wonderful opportunity to tell our story and the story of this community," said Skivington.
