Independent Minds within $2 million of endowment goal as finish line approaches

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WOOSTER, Ohio - As the Independent Minds campaign enters its final months, the most ambitious fund-raising effort in The College of Wooster's history is within $2 million of its last unmet goal. Wooster's trustees, alumni, parents, and friends have made $51 million in gifts and pledges to the endowment, against a goal of $53 million.

The campaign has already met or surpassed its other goals, providing critical resources for current operations and fully funding six capital projects, including the renovation of Kauke Hall.

Gifts to the endowment strengthen the college in perpetuity. Each dollar added to the endowment is invested to produce a return, from which the college draws an annual payout to support a portion of its operations.

Endowed scholarships help Wooster attract a diverse and talented student body, while endowed professorships help defray the cost of attracting and retaining top teacher-scholars. Endowed funds support the activities of individual academic departments, underwrite student research, purchase library books, and bring prominent speakers and artists to campus. One fund even helps care for the campus trees.

"The strength of the endowment supports the essential character of the College," said President R. Stanton Hales. "My tenure as president will end on the same day as the Independent Minds campaign, June 30, and it is my fondest hope that I will not leave any "unfinished business" with regard to the campaign."

The College of Wooster is an independent liberal arts college, nationally recognized for an innovative curriculum that emphasizes independent learning. Each Wooster senior works one-on-one with a faculty mentor to create an original research project, written work, performance or art exhibit. Founded in 1866, the college enrolls approximately 1,800 students.