Private Giving to CSU Sets Another Record, Reaching $12.7 Million
Staff Report From Columbus CEO
Friday, August 29th, 2014
Alumni and friends again demonstrated their support in record numbers for Columbus State University, giving about $12.7 million in 2013-14 to fund projects, programs and people throughout CSU.
The Columbus State University Foundation ended its fiscal year on July 31 with an increase of $4.1 million from the $8.6 million total collected during the 2013 fiscal year.
“Simply put, private giving is behind many of the major strides we are making at Columbus State University,” said President Tim Mescon. “This level of support is phenomenal, and is supporting key initiatives that are designed to continue our emergence as a university of regional and national distinction.”
Giving to the Columbus State University (CSU) Fund also set a new record last year, bringing in $4.9 million of the total $12.7 million raised. The annual support raised via the CSU Fund (formally the university’s annual fund) soared well above the goal of $3.5 million.
“I continue to be impressed by the depth of support that we have for Columbus State University,” said Lynne Philips, a Synovus executive who chairs the CSU Foundation Board of Trustees. “Obviously the Foundation Trustees and all our other supporters are energized by the strides that have been made here, and are excited about the future of Columbus State University. We realize that private support is no longer a luxury; it's vital to our ongoing operations and absolutely necessary if we want CSU to truly become the kind of university we all think it can be.”
Annual giving to the CSU Fund supports many needs across campus, including:
- Student scholarships
- Academic programs
- Community outreach (including Columbus Regional Math Collaborative, Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center and CSU’s Coca-Cola Space Science Center)
- Student and faculty development (including athletics, research, servant leadership and study abroad)
- Opportunities for distinction (including music and theatre performances and athletic events)
Alan Medders, CSU’s vice president for University Advancement and Executive Director of the CSU Foundation, said all the money collected last year will count toward the university’s ongoing comprehensive campaign, which is now in a quiet phase as priorities are developed and goals are established.
He credited the foundation’s trustees for creating momentum for the current private fundraising priorities. He said logging almost $13 million in one year is a great testament to what’s planned.
“I think the message in these numbers is that the foundation trustees, the faculty and administration, the alumni, and friends see the difference our university is making in the lives of our students and in the community,” said Jack Key, a retired real estate executive who now chairs the foundation’s development committee. “It’s clear evidence that people recognize the substantial and vital contribution that CSU makes to the quality of life in Columbus and the region. We’re providing first-rate education and enjoying the benefits of seeing this new generation of talent and leadership emerge from our campus. These increases in giving indicate that our supporters believe that our best days are ahead!”
