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For release
May 9, 2008 - King’s College officials announced the successful completion of the Legacy of Excellence capital campaign at the annual President’s dinner on Saturday evening. More than $37.24 million in gifts and pledges was raised, 67 percent more than the previous record for a capital campaign and 24 percent more than the $30 million goal. The Legacy of Excellence campaign, the most ambitious in the College’s 62-year history, began in 2003. More than $18 million was raised since the public announcement of the campaign in May 2006. Campaign results were announced by John O’Brien, a former resident of the East End of Wilkes-Barre, 1964 graduate of King’s and chairman of the Legacy of Excellence Campaign, to more than 320 people attending the President’s Dinner. Of the amount raised, more than $16 million was in unrestricted gifts and pledges. “The campaign has been successful in every imaginable way,” said Father Thomas O’Hara, C.S.C., president of King’s. “While funds were raised for very specific projects like scholarships, financial aid, faculty development and improvements at Betzler Fields, many of the College’s generous supporters made unrestricted gifts, allowing the College flexibility in applying the funds to constantly changing needs. It is through the extreme generosity of our alumni, friends, and foundations that King’s is able to continue providing a quality liberal arts education and make physical plant improvements that not only benefit the College but also the city of Wilkes-Barre.” Since the campaign begun, more than $8.75 million was raised through the College’s Annual Fund campaigns, more than $5.18 million was donated for scholarships and financial aid, almost $2.6 million for academic quality and faculty development projects, and between $1.1 and $1.3 million each for the Shoval Center for Community Engagement and Learning, liberal arts programming and for improvements to Betzler Fields, including the addition of artificial turf and lighting to the football field. "The Campaign began with the College’s Board of Directors showing great Leadership with 100 percent participation and concluded with donations from thousands of friends and alumni from across the country who understand and believe in the unique mission of this wonderful college," said O’Brien.. “The resources provided to the College by the Legacy of Excellence campaign will prove invaluable in allowing King’s to take its next steps forward,” said Father O’Hara.King's College is a Catholic College sponsored by the congregation of Holy Cross. |