News from the North Dakota State University Development Foundation:
The North Dakota State University Development Foundation has announced a record year, raising nearly $30 million for the support of NDSU.
The total for the year is $29,959,965, a nearly 100 percent increase compared with 2013.
Substantial donations were secured in 2014.
Robert and Sheila Challey have served NDSU and its students through many generous donations, committee work and fundraising efforts, and in 2014 the School of Music was named in honor of their $2.1 million pledge. They previously pledged $2.15 million to the school of music in 2006 to fund scholarships for music majors.
Doosan and Bobcat Company on Jan. 15 announced their continued support of innovation in education by donating $3 million to fund a STEM-related scholarship program at NDSU.
Ryn Pitts, chair of the Development Foundation Board of Trustees, said the record year is the result of hard work by the foundation staff and collaboration with NDSU faculty and administrators. “These collaborations lead to a wonderful outcome for the university and its students,” she said.
Pitts also expressed deep gratitude for the generosity of the donors. “The lifeblood of the Foundation is donors who support the university and have come forward in strength this year, helping us achieve our best year ever.”
NDSU President Dean L. Bresciani said the efforts by the foundation are crucial to NDSU’s ability to serve the citizens of North Dakota. “NDSU is increasingly being recognized as a national higher-education leader, and this record breaking fundraising total is a testament to the good work that goes on at NDSU and the hard work of the foundation and its staff.”
Pitts also credited Governor Dalrymple and the North Dakota Legislature for funding a visionary matching grant program. “The Challenge Fund catalyzed private support as never before, and we greatly appreciate the contribution of the North Dakota Higher Education Challenge Fund.” The fund contributed one dollar for every two dollars of private money for approved projects.
