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Clarence Castner |
During the same period, the foundation transferred $130.1 million to the University of Nebraska’s four campuses — the largest amount ever provided.
The funding provided to the campuses included a 24 percent increase for student aid and a 46 percent increase for academic programs from the previous fiscal year.
“We’re extremely appreciative of the donors from across the state and the country who care very much about the success of the university system,” said Clarence Castner, president of the University of Nebraska Foundation. “The fundraising accomplishments this year are a reflection of their excitement for what their giving can do and for the quality of the projects the university is pursuing.”
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The benefits transferred to the university include more than $64.8 million directed to campus and building improvements, $35.6 million to academic programs, and almost $19.2 million to benefit students through scholarships and other financial aid. Almost $4.5 million was directed to faculty assistance and almost $3.8 million was directed to university research programs.
A vast majority of donors direct how their gifts are to aid the university, Castner said.
The gifts include endowed funds, which provide annual income to benefit the university, as well as expendable funds available immediately to the university.
Before this year, the foundation’s best fundraising year was in 2005-2006 with $127.2 million raised and the second best year was 1996-1997 with $127.1 million raised.
The foundation shared examples of how private support helps the university. They included:
- More than 820 students at University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) receive 1,151 scholarships created through private gifts to the foundation. Across other campuses: 642 UNMC students received 919 scholarships; 1,321 University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) students received 1,604 scholarships; and 4,101 University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) students received 6,599 scholarships.
- The Ken Morrison Life Sciences Research Center opened this year at UNL and was made possible in part with private gifts. The $21 million building on East Campus houses labs for 12 scientists researching viruses that threaten plants, animals and people. Viruses studied at the center include those causing cervical cancer and HIV in humans, and a virus affecting cattle that costs the industry $500 million each year. Other UNL projects include the Hubbard Rhino Barn at Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park and the Donald and Lorena Meier Commons and Plaza.
- Ground was broken for the Harold M. and Beverly Maurer Center for Public Health at UNMC, which will be one of the few colleges of public health in the Great Plains region. It will focus on statewide health concerns, including diabetes, childhood obesity, addictions, health disparities and rural health issues. Elsewhere on the UNMC campus, private funding made possible the Home Instead Center for Successful Aging, the Weigel Williamson Center for Visual Rehabilitation, and the Michael F. Sorrell Center for Health Science Education.
- Construction began on the new UNO College of Business Administration building, which was made possible through private gifts and will include laboratories devoted to investment sciences, accounting, statistics, real estate and business innovation. The expansion and renovation of the new home for the College of Public Affairs and Community Service at UNO was also made possible with private gifts.