A record year of giving for the University of Nebraska ...

A record year of giving for the University of Nebraska Foundation

A record year of giving for the University of Nebraska Foundation

newsnetnebraska.org

Friday, 24 October 2008 14:33

Written by NewsNetNebraska

The University of Nebraska Foundation reports that during its last fiscal year it raised $166.5 million. It's the most ever raised in a single year-in total gifts, bequests and life insurance proceeds for the Foundation. During the same period it 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 L. 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."

The market value of the foundation's assets for the fiscal year totaled $1.605 billion, up $14.8 million from the previous year. The endowment managed by the foundation totaled $1.22 billion. The total return on the endowment was -1.5 percent for the year, outperforming its market benchmarks.

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, said Castner. 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 UNK receive 1,151 scholarships created through private gifts to the foundation. Across other campuses: 642 UNMC students received 919 scholarships; 1,321 UNO students received 1,604 scholarships; and 4,101 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.

Foundation's award recipients announced

The University of Nebraska Foundation announced the recipients of its two distinguished annual awards.

The inaugural Harlan J. Noddle Distinguished Development Service Award was presented to Terry L. Fairfield, past CEO of the foundation who served the organization for more than 20 years. The award was created in memory of longtime University of Nebraska supporter Harlan Noddle of Omaha who died in 2005 and who served in various volunteer roles for the NU Foundation, including chairman of the board of directors. The award was created in partnership with Noddles' family as a means to recognize a university or foundation staff member who exemplifies Noddles' initiative, honesty, integrity, compassion, commitment, foresight, tolerance and diligence.

The Perry W. Branch Award for volunteer service was presented to Duane Acklie, chairman of Crete Carrier Corporation, in recognition of his longtime volunteer service to the NU Foundation and the university. He became a trustee of the foundation in 1975, he served on the board of directors from 1987 to 1993, and was an executive committee member for the foundation's last campaign. A graduate of the University of Nebraska, Acklie earned a bachelor's degree in 1953 and a law degree in 1955. The Branch award is named after the first full time director of the NU Foundation, Perry W. Branch.

Foundation election results

The foundation announced at its annual meeting the results of leadership elections, including the election of Nancy Keegan of Los Angeles as chairwoman elect for 2008-2009.

The following trustees were elected to the board of directors for three-year terms: Kenneth Green of Cherry Hills Village, Colo., Deryl Hamann of Omaha, and Tonn Ostergard of Lincoln. The following board members were re-elected to three-year terms: Brian Hamilton of Grand Island, Lynn Roper of Lincoln, and Peter Whitted of Omaha.

The following board members were appointed to head committees: Claire Johnson to administrative; Tom Henning of Lincoln to audit; Kathy LeBaron of Lincoln to development; Keegan to finance; Hamilton to grants; and Whitted to nominating. Roper was appointed at-large member to the executive committee.

The foundation introduced the following new trustees who were elected for six-year terms: Joan and Richard Adkins, Jr. of Laurel; Marvin and Marjorie Dietrich of Rio Verde, Ariz.; John and Nancy Dunn of St. Petersburg, Fla.; Liz Fieselman of Lincoln; Karen Langland Himle and John Himle of Hopkins, Minn.; Chad and Denise Huston of Austin, Texas; Richard and Helen Kelley of Omaha; Richard and Janet Labenz of Lincoln; Clarkson and Emily Lauritzen of Omaha; Gary and Iris Moore of Omaha; Jane Morrison of Lincoln; William Mueller and Kim Robak of Lincoln; David and Sandra Parker of Omaha; David Rogers and Teresa Romanek Rogers of Omaha; Robert Scott and Rebecca Fricke Scott of Lincoln; William and Tracy Scott of Lincoln; James Simmons and Barbara Hurt-Simmons of Chester Springs, Pa.; Gregory Sutton and Margaret Kontras Sutton of Lincoln; Brad and Carrie Tolstedt of Alamo, Calif.; and Matthew and Susan Williams of Gothenburg.

The University of Nebraska Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization raising private gifts to support the University of Nebraska for 72 years. Gifts to the foundation support students, faculty, academic programs, research and campus capital improvements on all four campuses.

The foundation's 2008 annual report and audited financial statements are located on its Web site at www.nufoundation.org.
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