For U of M alumnus Russell Bennett, the University of Minnesota is like an old family friend. His grandmother was the first woman admitted to the University’s law program, and recently his daughter graduated from the U of M Law School, linking four generations of Bennetts to the U.

“I believe the University of Minnesota is the most important institution in the state,” says Bennett. “And that is why I agreed to serve as volunteer chair of Campaign Minnesota. We need private support to stay among the top universities in the country.”

Campaign Minnesota is a University-wide fund-raising effort with a goal of raising $1.3 billion by July 2003. Until then, every gift to the U counts toward the campaign. Gifts made in the form of bequests and other future commitments are also counted.

If you are one of the 66,000 alumni who’ve already contributed to the campaign, thank you. You are making it possible for the University of Minnesota to continue its tradition of greatness. You have helped create more than 600 new scholarships and fellowships. Your gifts are also supporting faculty, ground-breaking research, state-of-the-art facilities, and service and outreach that touches every county and every town in Minnesota
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If you are one of the more than 255,000 alumni we have not yet heard from, there’s never been a better time to give. “This year more than ever, we are calling on our alumni and friends to participate in Campaign Minnesota,” says President Mark Yudof. “Alumni support is extremely important in maintaining the greatness of the U. Tuition alone can’t do this, nor can state funding.”

Making a gift to Campaign Minnesota can be easy. Simply return the pledge form you receive in the mail or say “yes” when you are contacted by phone.

Fun facts about U of M donors

> Youngest donor to the University this year: Jonathan Gregornik, seven year old from St. Paul, who donated to the U of M’s Geological Survey a fossil he found of an extinct sea creature.

> Alumni donor who’s given the most: Curt Carlson, 1937, who donated $46.5 million before his death in 1999.

> Colleges with the most alumni donors: medical school, with 25 percent giving; veterinary medicine, with 18 percent.

> Campus with the highest percent of alumni donors: Morris, at 19 percent.

> Two of the most faithful U of M alumni donors: Richard and Rose Trochlil, who’ve made 39 gifts to the U, one every year since 1962.

How do we compare?

Every university asks its alumni annually for gifts to support their favorite colleges, programs, or the university’s set priorities. Here’s how the University of Minnesota compares with other Big Ten schools in the percentage of alumni who made a gift to their universities in 2000.

1. Purdue ............................ 23%

2. Northwestern .................... 20%

3. Penn State ........................ 18%

4. Ohio State ........................ 17%

5. Michigan ......................... 16%

6. Indiana ........................... 14%

7. Iowa .............................. 13%

8. Wisconsin ....................... 13%

9. Minnesota ....................... 11%

10. Michigan State .................. 11%

11. Illinois ........................... 11%

(Source: Council for Aid to Education)


get more info Participating in Campaign Minnesota is easy, and every gift, designated for whatever college or program you choose, counts toward the campaign. You can make a gift online at www.campaign.umn.edu or contact the University of Minnesota Foundation at 612-624-3333, the Minnesota Medical Foundation at 612-625-1440, or the development officer of the college you want to support.