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Making a Difference:
            A Record-Setting Gift Leads the Way

 

Ray Neag, class of 1956 (pictured below with wife Carole) made national headlines when he contributed $23 million to UConn, including $21
million for the School of Education and $2 million for the Health Center. The gift is the largest ever to the University. It is also the largest given to a school of education in the nation and the largest to a public university in New England.

In recent years, significant public support has lead to unprecedented levels of private investment. Public incentives, such as the state’s UCONN 2000 program and it’s endowment matching grant program are multiplying the impact of private gifts. This public-private partnership is helping UConn to:

  • Attract the finest teaching and research faculty.
  • Recruit some of the nation’s highest-achieving students through merit scholarships.
  • Provide educational access to talented students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
  • Generate important new information, and advance teaching and learning through groundbreaking research.
  • Create innovative programs that prepare students for life and careers in the 21st century.
  • Enrich UConn’s campuses through new and enhanced facilities and equipment.

    In addition to Mr. Neag’s commitment, which will be paid out in full over the course of the next several years, academic year 1998-99 was a record-breaking period for private investment in UConn as The University of Connecticut Foundation received $25.6 million in total charitable gifts from private sources (results in the annual tabulation include only funds actually received). This represents a 25 percent increase over the previous year, continuing a multi-year trend of increased private investment. By comparison, UConn’s level of private giving just four years ago was $8.2 million. These results are a bellwether that the excitement about the changes underway at the University will continue to grow.



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