Adelphi University Exceeds Goal in Most Successful Fundraising Effort in its 116-Year History-The Campaign for Adelphi Closes Above Goal at $58.5 Million

In launching its first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign in its 116-year history, Adelphi Univeristy raised $58.5 million, and surpassed its original target goal of $56 million, thanks to the generosity of more than 16,000 individual donors. End Quote

New York, NY (1888PressRelease) September 25, 2012 - Adelphi University President Robert A. Scott announced on September 24 at a campus-wide celebration that The Campaign for Adelphi University: Building Adelphi's Future One Story at a Time, the first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign in its 116-year history, raised $58.5 million, and surpassed its original target goal of $56 million, thanks to the generosity of more than 16,000 individual donors. The Campaign, whose public phase launched on October 3, 2007, and finished August 31, 2012, sought to raise funds for several campaign priorities-improved and new buildings, endowed scholarships, and funds for faculty development-essential steps to keep Adelphi at the forefront of higher education with nationally recognized programs and to best meet the needs of both current and future students. The success of Adelphi's fundraising efforts, despite one of the worst fundraising climates and the challenging economic times, is a clear indication of the commitment of alumni, donors, and friends, and demonstrates the impact the University has on transforming lives and in the region.

"The completion of Adelphi's first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign represents a significant milestone in the ongoing success story of the University. The philanthropic support has been transformative," said Dr. Robert A. Scott, president of Adelphi University since 2000. "The University has designed and opened state-of-the-art learning and teaching spaces; increased capacity to recruit and support outstanding professors; and enhanced scholarship support, ensuring that Adelphi remains affordable to all who want to pursue a first-rate education. The Campaign allows us to build a stronger University for today and tomorrow."

The Campaign for Adelphi University offered numerous opportunities for all who care about the University to participate in creating a lasting legacy for its students, faculty, and alumni. The campaign received two record-setting signature donations of $9.5 million from Adelphi Board of Trustees Chairman Robert B. Willumstad '05 (Hon.), for whom the School of Business is now named, and former Trustee Carol A. Ammon M.B.A. '79, '10 (Hon.) in honor of her mother, Ruth S. Ammon, for whom the School of Education is named. Adelphi received 14 additional gifts of one million dollars or more from 13 exceptionally generous benefactors. The results of the campaign are visible with other named facilities and initiatives such as Motamed Field; Pollack Plaza; the Horace G. McDonell Summer Research Science Fellowship Program; and numerous new scholarships for needy and talented students.

"It's a very proud moment for me as chairman," said Robert B. Willumstad '05 (Hon.), Adelphi Board of Trustees Chairman. "The campaign inspired individuals from a range of backgrounds to give generously and unite, which has brought a renewed energy to campus. In addition, this enables Adelphi to continue to uphold the highest standards of educational excellence while serving the broader community."

Over the course of the campaign, more than 16,000 alumni, donors and friends committed support to the campaign priorities: the impact of such collective generosity is already evident across campus. Through the campaign, the University created 122 new scholarships to continue Adelphi's proud tradition of access and affordability; added the Center for Recreation and Sports, Performing Arts Center, and Alice Brown Early Learning Center, and totally renovated Woodruff Hall gymnasium, one of the campus' original three buildings. More than 28,000 gifts were made to the Annual Fund from alumni. Furthermore, Adelphi successfully completed a $3.6 million challenge grant from The Kresge Foundation.

"Our deepest thanks goes to Dr. Scott for his dedication, vision, and leadership, and to the many donors who supported the campaign and believed strongly in Adelphi's mission and future," said Trustee and campaign co-chair Leon M. Pollack '63, a member of the University's Million Dollar Round Table. "Our community and alumni responded in an overwhelmingly positive way to our first-ever comprehensive campaign, and I am incredibly proud and grateful of what we have accomplished together."

Since the launch of the campaign in 2007, Adelphi has enjoyed a string of achievements. The University has been recognized by The Fiske Guide to Colleges as one of the nation's "best and most interesting" institutions and for seven consecutive years has been listed among a select number of "Best Buys" in higher education; gained recognition as a "College of Distinction" for encompassing engaged students, great teaching, vibrant communities, and successful outcomes; freshmen enrollment and total undergraduate enrollment are at new highs; graduation rates continue to be the highest in the region, with an improvement to 94% in first semester retention; enrollment in dance and music programs, enhanced by the new facilities, increased by more than 20%; the Center for Recreation and Sports allowed Adelphi to bring Olympian Michael Phelps, Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel, and renowned anthropologist Jane Goodall to campus for three sold-out events; students in education, psychology, and social work are able to interact with children through field work at the Alice Brown Early Learning Center; and participation in innovative programs such as the Community Fellows Program increased by 300% in three years.

In similar fashion, athletics continues to flourish, with nearly 400 student-athletes, almost 10% of undergraduates, up from just over 200 student-athletes a few years ago. In 2011, the women's lacrosse team made Adelphi, and Division II history, by winning a third consecutive NCAA title and secured their place as the most decorated team in Division II history with its fifth national championship. The riveting match on Motamed Field marked the first time that Adelphi had hosted a national women's championship. With the opening of Adelphi's Center for Recreation and Sports in 2008, participation in intramural sports and recreation increased by nearly 30 percent.

"Adelphi University is a world-class, modern university, transforming the lives of its students and preparing them for success," said Dr. Gayle D. Insler, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. "The extraordinary generosity of our benefactors has given Adelphi the opportunity to have new facilities and endowments, which are vital to the University's growth and ability to shape our students' future, as well as to design curricula and support services to emphasize the excitement of learning, rigorous standards, and hands-on experiences to bring out each student's best work and retain the best and brightest."

For more information, please visit the campaign website at http://giving.adelphi.edu/campaign-summary/.

About Adelphi University: Adelphi is a world class, modern university with excellent and highly relevant programs where students prepare for lives of active citizenship and professional careers. Through its schools and programs-The College of Arts and Sciences, Gordon F. Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, Honors College, Ruth S. Ammon School of Education, University College, Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, Schools of Nursing and Social Work-the co-educational university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as professional and educational programs for adults. Adelphi University currently enrolls nearly 8,000 students from 43 states and 45 foreign countries. With its main campus in Garden City and centers in Manhattan, Hauppauge, and Poughkeepsie, the University, chartered in 1896, maintains a commitment to liberal studies in tandem with rigorous professional preparation and active citizenship.

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