June 19, 2015
Contact Dr. Richard Artman, president rbartman@viterbo.edu, 608-796-3001
VITERBO UNIVERSITY CAMPAIGN EXCEEDS $40 MILLION GOAL
LA CROSSE, Wis.— The University of Opportunity: Hope and Help $40 million comprehensive campaign launched by Viterbo in 2008 and scheduled to conclude this month has exceeded its goal.
The final tally is expected to surpass $42.5 million in gifts, grants and pledges, representing one of the largest campaigns in the history of La Crosse. The success of this effort has significantly transformed the campus. Construction of the Nursing Center (2011) and Clare Apartments (2012), Weber Center for the Performing Arts (2013) in partnership with La Crosse Community Theatre, the renovation of Brophy Center—now home to the Dahl School of Business (2012-13), and restoration of San Damiano Chapel (2014), were all accomplished within the span of the campaign.
Helping to ensure that Viterbo remains affordable for students, the university also increased its endowment from $25 million to over $44 million while creating 113 new endowed and annual scholarships.
The comprehensive campaign supported the ambitious goals within Viterbo’s 2008-15 strategic plan and thereby accomplished many initiatives set by the trustees and campus leadership. The number of students able to be admitted into Viterbo’s outstanding nursing program doubled; students living on campus increased by 28 percent; and a Trustee Opportunity Fund distributed was established distributing over $2.3 million to students and faculty through entrepreneurial grants for research and innovative projects, scholarships, undergraduate research and technology upgrades.
The campaign was co-chaired by trustee emeriti Dick Lommen and Ernie Micek.
“Gratitude,” is the word President Rick Artman uses to sum up the university’s sentiment as the close of the campaign nears. “Viterbo has been blessed in so many ways by trustees, alumni, faculty, administration, staff, our campus community, our founders—the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, and so many other friends and benefactors who support the mission and values of the university. The success of the campaign enables Viterbo to provide students with an excellent values-based education, and to serve our community with many enriching programs for years to come.”
“We celebrate with enormous gratitude the accomplishments of this comprehensive campaign and the many people who contributed to this successful outcome,” Artman added.
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