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When the University publicly launched its six-year, $300 million Campaign UConn in 2001, three areas were targeted for private funding -- student scholarships, endowed faculty positions and program enhancements. With more than $200 million raised, Campaign UConn is achieving its goals and galvanizing the support of private investors with a vision for UConn excellence.
Evelyn Gilman '47, a passionate supporter of the arts, is one of them. Knowing that UConn's William Benton Museum was short on exhibit space for its 5,000 works, she donated $800,000 to fund a 7,000-square-foot gallery, giving curators the space to bring art treasures out of storage for regular viewing.
Valuing the ecology of Long Island Sound, Northeast Utilities committed $500,000 for two endowment funds in UConn's Marine Sciences Department at Avery Point. One will support research on board the research vessel Connecticut. The other will financially assist marine sciences students, particularly women and minorities.
The UConn Association of Orthodontists had countless reasons to establish a clinical teaching chair in the School of Dental Medicine.In the main: to reciprocate for a state-of-the-art-education. The gift will help draw and retain nationally recognized orthodontic scholars to the top-ranked school.
Campaign UConn has raised expectations alongside hopes. As a greater number of scholarships become available, more high-achieving high school seniors are selecting UConn. Since 1995, they have included 334 valedictorians and salutatorians.
A Nutmeg Scholarship clinched the decision of Jocelyn Rosinski. An undergraduate with an eye toward medical school, she has maintained a 3.75 GPA in a daunting dual-major curriculum. A music education major, Rosinski hones her scientific mind with a second major in physiology and neurobiology. Like her, Day of Pride scholar Luis Gonzales possesses commitment and confidence beyond his years. An honors student with a 3.9 GPA, he mentors "at risk" middle and elementary students in his time off campus.
Gonzales believes in repaying his good fortune. In that sentiment, he is seconded by countless other individuals and corporations who put their money where their UConn pride is.