RIO GRANDE, Ohio -- The University of Rio Grande recently celebrated the completion of its Lighting the Way Capital Campaign, and the university far exceeded its goals.
The campaign began as a fundraising program to raise $16.5 million for the university. That goal was reached early in the campaign, so it was decided to extend the goal to $21 million.
On Saturday, faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of the university gathered to celebrate that even that second, higher goal was surpassed, with a grand total of $22,567,573.32 raised.
"This was a big undertaking for a small school," C. Michael Reardon, national campaign co-chair for the Lighting The Way campaign, said in a press release.
Reardon said that when the late Dean Brown, who was then the vice president for institutional advancement at Rio Grande, first approached him about helping with the campaign, he turned him down. He then turned him down again several additional times, but Brown kept after him until he agreed to help.
"He didn't take no for an answer," Reardon said. Brown and the entire Lighting The Way campaign had a "refuse to lose" attitude, and that served the university well in reaching the goal, he added.
"It was really beyond by belief," Reardon said about the amount of money raised in the campaign.
Stanley E. Harrison, chair of the institutional advancement committee for the University of Rio Grande Board of Trustees, said that the campaign goal was the highest goal ever set by Rio Grande.
"Today is a special day," Harrison said. "Every gift was a vote of confidence (in the university)."
Beverly Crabtree, vice president for institutional advancement at Rio Grande, said that 1,630 different donations were made to the Lighting The Way Capital Campaign.
"That's 1,630 people who believe in our mission and who know that Rio Grande is doing important work," Crabtree said. She thanked everyone who worked on the campaign and who donated to it, and said it is a very important campaign for Rio Grande.
The money raised by the Lighting The Way Capital Campaign is being used to create new scholarships, expand academic programs, improve campus facilities, create new athletic programs, create new student activities and fund a wide array of programs that benefit students and area residents.
The July 12 event also honored several friends and supporters of Rio Grande.
During the celebration, John D. Kidd was named a University Fellow, Rio Grande officials dedicated the new J. Tim and Wylodine Evans Terrace at the Davis University Center, and Gold Medallion Awards were presented to Lyvonia Bunce, James M. Caldwell, Evan and Elizabeth Davis, Stanley E. Harrison, Holzer Clinic, Bernard Fultz, Raymond Mason Foundation, C. Michael and Stephanie Reardon and Sarah Rannells Simonds.
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