Campaign for Oakland celebrations planned for April

This April, Oakland University will celebrate what is now anticipated to be the successful conclusion to its first-ever comprehensive campaign. Two celebration events will welcome students, faculty and staff to help recognize Oakland’s many generous donors.

Immediately following a Faculty Recognition Luncheon on Founders’ Day, Wednesday, April 15, students, faculty and staff are invited to gather in Oakland Center’s Fireside Lounge with President Gary Russi, Vice President for University Relations Sue Goepp and other university and campaign leaders. Set from 1:45-2:45 p.m., the festive celebration will feature a performance by the Golden Grizzlies Band, a brief video presentation and dessert and refreshments.

“The campaign is touching every part of campus, bringing 20 new academic programs to life, providing nearly 45 endowed student scholarships and funding important renovation and capital enhancements in buildings and laboratories,” Goepp said. “We’re still counting gifts as we count down to the campaign’s conclusion.”

Nearly 2,000 new alumni donors have provided support for their alma mater during the campaign. In total, 17,000 donors have participated in the campaign.
“The campaign is supporting our efforts to achieve our 2010 Vision to be a distinctive university that prepares students with a broad base of knowledge and top-notch intellectual and experiential opportunities,” Russi said. “We’re reaching our goal and are positioned to accomplish even more.”

Total dollars raised for the campaign will be revealed, and could exceed the $110 million goal established for the campaign during its public phase launch in April 2002. Intended to wrap up in 2010, the campaign is expected to reach its goal a year ahead of schedule.

“By joining together with the shared interest of bringing innovation and opportunity to the doorstep of our students and faculty and, by extension, society, we are pursuing a common purpose and together achieving so much. We are deeply grateful,” Goepp said.

Donors will be recognized for their gifts to the campaign at a black-tie gala celebration on April 17 in the Oakland Center Banquet Rooms, which will be specially transformed for the occasion.

For more on “Innovation and Opportunity – The Campaign for Oakland University,” visit the campaign website.