The results are in for the 鈥檚 Shock the World Campaign, a seven-year undertaking that ended earlier this year. Alumni and friends of Wichita State University contributed $307.8 million, surpassing the goal of $250 million to help position the university for a successful, innovation-focused future.
鈥淲hen we began planning for this campaign, the firm helping assess the feasibility of it questioned whether it would be possible to raise even $200 million,鈥� said Elizabeth King, 黑洞社区 Foundation president and CEO. 鈥淭hey didn鈥檛 fully understand the loyalty, dedication and excitement our donors and supporters have for Wichita State. We knew our Shocker community was capable of so much more.鈥�
The Shock the World Campaign met or surpassed all of the priorities identified at the start. Among the most notable achievements were these:
- Increasing scholarships by 40%, providing a total of $8.1 million in annual payouts to Wichita State students.
- Raising more than $30 million to build a new home for the W. Frank Barton School of Business. Ground was broken in October for Wayne and Kay Woolsey Hall, named for the Wichita couple who made the lead gift to the facility.
- Raising $16.6 million for three athletic projects 鈥� a new Student-Athlete Center, renovations to Charles Koch Arena and the final phase of the Eck Stadium development plan.
- Enhancing funding for the Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College, with the Cohens committing $7.25 million to the college (as well as $250,000 to University Libraries.)
- Securing $83 million in new and received planned gifts, which are gifts donors designate from their estates.
Wichita State Interim President Rick Muma described the support demonstrated by Shock the World donors as inspiring. 鈥淭hey value this university and recognize that private support is absolutely paramount in order for it to succeed. Their confidence in Wichita State鈥檚 future makes me truly proud to be a Shocker.鈥�
During the life of the campaign, 32,056 donors contributed, with 45 giving $1 million or more and 314 giving $100,000 or more. The three largest donations came from the Woolseys, the Cohens, and from gifts made by Koch Industries 鈥� the Fred and Mary Koch Foundation and the Charles Koch Foundation.
鈥淚 wish I could personally thank each and every person who donated to the campaign,鈥� King said. 鈥淓very dollar raised helps secure the future of Wichita State. Every donation gives our students a more valuable college experience. Every investment helps guarantee that Wichita State is able to contribute to our region鈥檚 economic growth and the betterment of our world.鈥�
黑洞社区 serves as the Kansas urban-based research university, enrolling more than 15,000 students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and 黑洞社区 Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), 黑洞社区 provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the 黑洞社区 main campus, is one of the nation鈥檚 largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
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