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Mission Statement
The Division of University Advancement fosters
mutually beneficial relationships with alumni, friends, donors, civic, corporate
and elected officials, the media and the general public. A comprehensive marketing
and communications program informs our many publics about the university's
offerings, opportunities and accomplishments, promoting a strong positive institutional
image. A comprehensive alumni relations program promotes lifelong meaningful
connections between alumni and their alma mater. In partnership with and under
the auspices of the Wright State University Foundation, the division raises
private financial support, manages and invests those resources, and distributes
them
to university programs in accordance with donor directives.
University Advancement
In December 2006, Wright State University celebrated the successful conclusion of its first comprehensive campaign, “Tomorrow Takes Flight,” raising $123.1 million--more than triple the original goal set by national benchmarks. Campaign funds will support student scholarships, new academic programs, endowed chairs and professorships, major facility renovations, new buildings, community partnerships and the endowment.
Wright State’s first campaign was a resounding success, and each college has seen the rewards, with new scholarships, additional faculty support, new and upgraded facilities, academic program support and increased endowment. Two hundred new scholarships have been created, along with five endowed chairs and professorships and two named colleges. This translates into hundreds of young lives touched, and the region’s quality of life enhanced.
The Division of University
Advancement, in partnership with the WSU Foundation, Inc., and the WSU
Alumni Association, are poised to support the WSU strategic
plan now and into the future in a number of specific ways. The Alumni Association
completed its own strategic plan in early 2006 and the Foundation is in
the midst of updating its own strategic plan, scheduled for completion by June
30, 2006. Both plans are designed to support the University's strategic
plan. Highlights are as follows:
Strategic Marketing
- A highly skilled and experienced marketing professional was appointed in September
2005 as Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications. She is providing
leadership to expanded enrollment marketing and overall campus marketing committees.
- A written marketing plan is being implemented that supports enrollment objectives.
- Specific new initiatives related to web enhancement, advertising, media relations,
and telephone communiqués are in place.
- A 40th anniversary (2007) celebration committee, co-chaired
by the new Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications, is insuring
that WSU's achievements are effectively showcased.
- Staff training in strategic marketing is in process and staff teams assigned
to academic units as marketing advisors and liaisons.
Alumni Relations: The Office of Alumni Relations provides programs, communications,
learning and social experiences designed to strengthen life-long ties
from pre-college to senior citizen years. Specific initiatives include:
- Annual award programs that showcase and honor outstanding graduates.
- A growing network of active Alumni Association chapters around the country
where there is a critical mass of alumni residents.
- Educational programs around such topics as retirement planning, home-buying,
elder care and leadership training for mid-career alumni professionals.
- Career mentoring for students.
- Participation in institutional enrollment recruitment initiatives (college
nights, etc.).
- Alumni Association financial commitment to university projects, priorities
and scholarships.
The Alumni Association envisions the creation of a free-standing new
Alumni House designed to be a gathering place for alumni and campus activities.
The project is contingent upon being able to raise all funds from private
sources.
That feasibility is currently being assessed informally.
Development: A highly experienced fund-raising professional was appointed April 2007 as the Associate Vice President for University Development. The Tomorrow Takes Flight Campaign provided the impetus for creating
development officer positions in all the schools and college,
as well as the
strengthening of central staff to increase planned giving.
Annual and overall goals and targets propel the Development program
and all its component parts. Specific goals and plans revolve around:
- Increasing percentage of alumni who donate money. Immediate goal is to reach
the national average for public institutions similar to WSU.
- Developing more support from national foundations.
- Increasing the marketing of planned giving opportunities.
- Engaging WSU Foundation trustees more actively in the fund raising process.
- Continuing to educate and train college-based development officers and Deans
for greater fund raising effectiveness and results.
The university wide strategic plan emphasis on student enrollment and
enhancing the quality of the WSU education experience translates into
Development
initiatives that include increasing private support for student scholarships,
faculty
endowed chairs and professorships and for facility renovations and construction.
Current
capital projects have been possible because of donor contributions, which
have augmented state resources. These include the Joshi Research Center,
the MTC
Technologies Trading Center; the Lake Campus expansion; the Frederick
White building renovation; Festival Playhouse renovation and others.
More private
funds are needed and actively sought for each of these projects. Upcoming
capital projects for which private gifts are essential include the Science
expansion,
a proposed new Library archives building, the aforementioned Alumni House
and a comprehensive renovation of the Creative Arts Center. |
