KNOXVILLE, Tenn.– With the original target within $2 million, the University of Tennessee has pushed the goal of its 21st Century Campaign to $308 million.
William B. Stokely III, the campaign’s national chairman, said $248.3 million of the original $250 million goal has been received or pledged. The campaign began in October 1994.
Funds from the campaign, which ends June 30, 1998, go to scholarships, faculty enrichment, research and academic resources at all UT campuses and units.
“The Development Council and the Campaign Executive Committee have raised the bar by $58 million,” Stokely said, “and we can make it. From these totals, it’s obvious that alumni and friends of the University of Tennessee believe in our efforts to add new scholarships and other important program enhancements.”
The Development Council provides fund-raising leadership and advice to UT.
UT President Joe Johnson said volunteer leaders like Stokely are responsible for much of the campaign’s success.
“The most effective fund-raisers are the Bill Stokelys, Jim Haslams and hundreds of others who believe in their university,” Johnson said. “They have given hours of time to this campaign, and we are realizing in a very tangible way their efforts,” Johnson said.
“With their commitment and guidance, we can stretch ourselves, meet this new goal, and do a better job of serving students, faculty and the people of Tennessee.”
UT-Knoxville, with an original goal of $130 million, currently has gifts and pledges totaling $139 million. Its new goal is $175 million. UT-Chattanooga has surpassed its original $20 million target by nearly $500,000.
Other UT units, the amount raised and percent of goal achieved are: Institute of Agriculture, $17.8 million, 74 percent; UT-Martin, $9.2 million, 83 percent; UT Medical Center at Knoxville, $11.4 million, 63 percent; UT-Memphis, $45 million, 82 percent; Institute for Public Service, $2.2 million, 74 percent; UT Space Institute, $851,000, 43 percent. An additional $5.8 million in undesignated gifts and pledges have been received.
Forty-one individuals or firms have given or pledged more than $1 million each, Johnson said. The largest gift –approximately $12 million — is from the estate of Hollywood producer Clarence Brown and his wife.
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Contact: Dr. Joe Johnson (423-974-2241)
John Sheridan (423-974-2115)