Kansas State University launches $1 billion Innovation and Inspiration Campaign; $766 million raised to date
Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015
MANHATTAN— Before hundreds of purple-clad supporters, Kansas State University President Kirk Schulz announced the most ambitious fundraising campaign in university history Oct. 9.
"The journey toward our 2025 vision takes another huge step forward tonight with the public launch of the Innovation and Inspiration Campaign," Schulz said. "The tremendous generosity of alumni and friends who believe in Kansas State University's future is truly the foundation for our success and the inspiration for this historic campaign."
Innovation and Inspiration will raise $1 billion to drive Kansas State University toward its strategic vision to become a Top 50 public research university by 2025. The campaign will grow the university's endowment, providing resources to improve student retention and graduation rates, invest in faculty development and launch new research endeavors — all key initiatives of the K-State 2025 strategic plan. In the five years leading up to the Oct. 9 public announcement, alumni, friends and corporations invested more than $766 million in the university through the Innovation and Inspiration Campaign.
"K-State is a family, and nothing demonstrates that more than the way our supporters have rallied around this campaign," said Greg Willems, president and CEO of the Kansas State University Foundation. "This is a momentous occasion for K-Staters to unite and create a bright future for the university we love."
The Innovation and Inspiration Campaign will drive investment in scholarships, faculty, facilities and programs. It is co-chaired by Rand and Patti Berney, McKinney, Texas, and Richard and Mary Jo Myers, Arlington, Virginia.
"It is an honor to provide leadership for K-State during this critical moment in the university's history," said Rand Berney, a 1977 K-State graduate. "Through generous gifts from the K-State family, the Innovation and Inspiration Campaign is making significant progress toward the goals of K-State 2025 and driving the university forward to a prosperous, sustainable future."
Retired Air Force Gen. Richard Myers, a 1965 Kansas State University graduate and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted the campaign supports the university's land-grant mission.
"Because of its land-grant heritage, K-State has a long history of extraordinary student experiences, innovative research and academics, plus a solid record of significant achievements," Myers said. "The Innovation and Inspiration Campaign will provide the means to expand outreach and make a college education more accessible, which are hallmarks of a university like K-State."
The KSU Foundation is leading Innovation and Inspiration: The Campaign for Kansas State University to raise $1 billion for student success, faculty development, facility enhancement and programmatic excellence.
