The University of Maryland, College Park has raised more than $100 million for scholarships and student support, putting it nearly a third of the way towards its goal of taking in $350 million through the campaign by 2011.
“We actually think we are ahead of schedule,” Vice President for University Relations Brodie Remington told The Examiner Thursday.
At this point, Remington said, the university expected to have taken in nearly $85 million, but actually has raised about $102 million.
The effort is part of a larger, $1 billion fundraising campaign that began in July 2004 and will conclude in December 2011.
The campaign’s public portion was launched in October, following a two-year silent phase that surpassed its goal of raising $300 million.
“Lack of financial resources will not be a barrier to attending Maryland’s flagship university,” U.Md. President C.D. Mote Jr. said in a statement. “A college education has become mandatory for the most important positions in our knowledge-based economy.”
While the university is dedicating the most money to scholarships and student support, Maryland also hopes to raise $250 million to inspire innovation, $225 million to compete for faculty and $175 million for facilities.
Thus far, Remington said, the campaign has generated about $87 million for innovation, $82 million for faculty and $58 million for facilities.
“In almost all cases,” Remington said, “Donors decide themselves how they want their gift to be used.”
