Macalester exceeds campaign goal raising over $156 million during difficult financial time

St. Paul, Minn. – Macalester College has exceeded its original comprehensive campaign goal of $150 million for its Step Forward campaign, the largest in the college’s history. The public phase of the campaign, which ran from October 10, 2008 – December 31, 2011, raised over $156 million.

The campaign’s goals were to ensure the continuing quality of academic programs, to sustain accessibility through increased support for scholarships, to endow professorships for faculty support, to build a healthy campus community, to engage students in meaningful local and global learning activities and to improve excellence in the arts.

Jerry Crawford ’71, Step Forward campaign chair, was deeply involved from the beginning.

“The generosity of our 20,000 donors has been extraordinary,” said Crawford. “I always knew Macalester was one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country, and with these funds, Macalester is securing its position in that group. It’s a place that changed my life, and now we’ll be able to change the lives of so many more.”

The Step Forward campaign raised $38 million for scholarships and student-faculty research and endowed eight professorships.

It also helped build The Leonard Center, where fitness, health and wellness opportunities benefit the entire campus community; Markim Hall, home of the Institute for Global Citizenship and Minnesota’s first higher education building to earn LEED-platinum certification; and the first phase of the Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center renovation and expansion which will open this summer.

According to Macalester President Brian Rosenberg, when the campaign began, many were skeptical Macalester could raise $150 million.

“We launched this ambitious campaign in the fall of 2008 during one of the most challenging financial periods in recent memory,” said Rosenberg. “The fact that we were able to exceed our goal at this time of economic uncertainty makes me extremely proud of our alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends, who absolutely know the importance of ensuring continued support for Macalester.”

The college’s last comprehensive campaign concluded in May 2000 raising $55.3 million.

Step Forward priorities:
Scholarships and Student Opportunities – $38 million: This year (2011-2012), 73 percent of first-year students received a financial aid package averaging more than $36,000.

Macalester, which is known for linking the classroom with the community and the world, now has additional endowed funds allowing students to participate in community-based learning, study abroad programs and student-faculty collaborative research.

Endowed Professorships and Program/Faculty Support – $29 million:
Eight new endowed professorships or chairs have been added: including chairs in global health, mathematics, economics, Middle Eastern studies, natural sciences, and three college-wide chairs.

New Excellence in the Arts for the Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center – $24 million:
The first phase of the Janet Wallace Fine Arts renovation and expansion, which will open this summer, will include a fully renovated Concert Hall, added and improved rehearsal and performance space, and a new Arts Commons in the central core of the building, housing new art history classrooms and a new art gallery.

Markim Hall, the home of the Institute for Global Citizenship – $7.5 million:
Established in 2005, the Institute for Global Citizenship promotes learning, scholarship, civic engagement, and global leadership locally, nationally, and internationally by bringing together programs in these areas. Its home, Markim Hall, was the first higher education building in Minnesota to receive LEED-Platinum certification.

The Leonard Center, promoting a healthy, active community – $22 million:
The Leonard Center, the athletics and wellness complex, appeals to competitive athletes and recreational users alike by integrating first-rate fitness and athletic facilities with comprehensive health and wellness programs.

Increased Annual Giving to the Annual Fund – $22.5 million:
The Annual Fund supports daily operations and represents the cornerstone of the many qualities that define and distinguish the college. A vibrant Annual Fund allows for innovation, while also supporting the most fundamental elements of the liberal arts experience.

Not Yet Allocated and Donor Restricted Funds totaled an additional $13 million.

Macalester College, founded in 1874, is a national liberal arts college with a full-time enrollment of 1,978 students. Macalester is nationally recognized for its long-standing commitment to academic excellence, internationalism, multiculturalism, and civic engagement.