Rutgers University relies on the generosity of alumni and friends to be a premier institution of higher learning. An investment in Rutgers-Camden helps to support undergraduate and graduate programs as well as the Honors College and the International Studies Program. Gifts help to benefit students by enriching their experiences in research, scholarship, and public service. Gifts help the campus recruit world-class faculty, fuel the expansion of dynamic new programs, and enhance existing ones. Gifts to Arts and Sciences help to sponsor conferences of local, national, and global importance. Equally important, contributions we receive support students’ work on challenging projects pursued with outstanding faculty. Funding for original projects, expenses for students to attend professional conferences, and undergraduate research days are just some of the initiatives that our gifts support.

We have many caring donors who support our educational mission. In our current fiscal year, which ended June 30th, we raised $3.7 million in gifts and pledges from alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations. Approximately $2,214,264 has been raised in cash, which includes gifts from alumni and friends, corporations, and foundations of $2,185,937 for the College of Arts and Sciences, $15,777 for University College and $12,550 for the Graduate School.

Several significant pledges and gifts have been received this year. Following are the highlights of our major gift efforts:

• A multi-million dollar gift to create the Joseph (CCAS '64) and Loretta Lopez Chair in Mathematics in honor of Professor Leonard Bidwell
  
  
• $470,000 from the William Penn Foundation for the Center for Children and Childhood Studies Professional Development Project
  
• $410,000 bequest to create the Dorothy and David Cooper Psychology Scholarship
  
  
• $90,000 from the Ford Foundation in support of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Center for the Humanities (MARCH)
  
  
• $65,000 from donors to the FAS Academic Excellence Fund
  
  
• $40,000 from the Schumann Fund for New Jersey for the Center for Children and Childhood Studies Professional Development Pathways Institute
  
  
• $36,000 bequest from Rebecca Weiler to create the Department of Childhood Studies Unrestricted Endowment
  
  
• $31,535 gift to create the Benjamin (CCAS '57) and Ann Wolfson Outreach Fund for Parents and Families in the Center for Children and Childhood Studies
  
  
• $30,000 gift from Chuck Chaplin (RC '78) toward the Miriam Thomas Chaplin Scholarship in English
  
  
• $27,000 from donors to the CCAS Dean's Endowed Scholarship
  
  
• $25,000 to create the Stephen (CCAS '73) and Nancy Hovnanian Endowed Scholarship for non-traditional students majoring in Fine Arts
  
  
• $35,000 from the Johnson and Johnson Foundation in support of the work of Professors Dan Hart and Myra Bluebond-Langner
  
  
• $25,000 from The Stainrook Foundation to create the The Stainrook Foundation (UCC '70) International Studies Scholars Program
  
  
• A $25,000 anonymous gift in support of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Center for the Humanities (MARCH)
  
  
• $25,000 from the 1772 Foundation in support of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Center for the Humanities (MARCH)
  
  
• $25,000 from Ed (CCAS '73 CLAW '76) and Deborah Spell in support of the CCAS Dean’s Endowed Scholarship
  
  
• $23,000 from donors to the FAS Unrestricted Endowment (Gateway Fund)
  
  
• $22,550 from the Alcoholic Beverage Medical Research Foundation for Dr. Naomi Marmorstein's Research
  
  
• $22,421 bequest to create the Ralph W. Wescott Scholarship Fund
  
  
• $20,605 from donors to the Center for Children and Childhood Studies Gift Fund
  
  
• $17,500 from the Research Corporation for Dr. Daniel Bubb's research
  
  
• $15,000 from the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation in honor of Dr. Rajiv Ghandi
  
  
• $11,045 from donors to the Leonard Bidwell Memorial Scholarship
  
  
• $10,100 from donors to the UCC Scholarship Fund
  
  
• $10,000 from Daniel Hughes (CCAS '79) in support of the CCAS Dean’s Endowed Scholarship

In addition, at Reunion on Saturday, May 12th, the Class of 1967 presented a check of $17,000 to Rutgers-Camden for various projects. The Class of 1957 presented a check for $44,000 to the University. These gifts represent wonderful commitments from our alumni to our campus.

The Dean’s Leadership Council met quarterly and continued to develop the Gateway Project to raise $2,500,000 in funds to enhance the College’s endowment. To date, this campaign has raised over $4,000,000 in gifts and pledges in support of the College’s endowment. Clyde Lynds, a renowned NJ public artist, has been commissioned to design a piece of public art to be located at the re-landscaped intersection of 4th, Cooper and Lawrence Streets and thereby create a “gateway” to campus. Ayers St. Gross, a national Landscape Architecture firm from Baltimore, is designing the new streetscape. This project will begin construction in the summer of 2007 and a dedication is planned for October 11th, 2007.

In Fall 2006, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences began preparation for the University’s capital campaign, and dozens of faculty members and various departments submitted proposals for funding review. The faculty suggested over $150 million in projects and, through a strategic analysis of the College’s needs, $50 million in projects will be initially targeted through the campaign. The proposals were sent through a University-wide committee to be evaluated for their funding appeal and how they could fit into a University thematic approach for the campaign.

In support of fundraising efforts, Dean Margaret Marsh and Assistant Dean Jonathan Boiskin traveled to California and Florida to further develop relationships with our alumni. We look forward to improving our relationships with alumni in New Jersey as well as across the country through these and other strategic interactions.

There have been numerous events organized and coordinated by the Office of Development to reconnect with alumni and friends, steward donors and cultivate new prospects. A sample of these events include:

• Class of 1957 50th Reunion
• Class of 1967 40th Reunion
• CCAS and UCC Scholarship Awards and Academic Excellence Fund Student and Donor Recognition Dinner
• 12 events in the Rutgers Box at Campbell’s Field to steward our donors
• Coordination of the Richard C. Goodwin Lecture in honor of Ethel Lawrence with HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson.
• Alumni Recognition event through the Loyal Sons and Daughters of Rutgers event in March 2007

The Development Office plays a significant role in the receipt, management, and distribution of scholarships to hundreds of students. We hosted several receptions for students to write letters of acknowledgement to their donors and collated the letters into a brochure, which will be mailed to all donors at the year’s end. Donors to a named scholarship received a personalized letter of acknowledgement from their student recipient.

As the Capital Campaign begins its silent phase on July 1st, 2007, we are planning a comprehensive effort to reach out to all our alumni for support. We look forward to articulating the long-term vision of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and securing philanthropic support on behalf of our students, faculty, and staff.