Strengthening the College’s Foundation

The College of Wooster is in the midst of its most ambitious fund-raising campaign in history – "Independent Minds: The Campaign for Wooster." Sara L. Patton, Wooster's vice president for development, discusses the campaign’s purpose and progress to date.

Q. What is a campaign and how does it differ from annual development efforts?

A. Annual development drives generally focus on current operating needs, and goals are based on a single year. Comprehensive campaigns like "Independent Minds" address the College’s needs for capital building funds, endowment, and current operations, and last for a period of several years.

Q. What goes into planning and organizing a campaign?

A. Planning begins with a committee of Trustees and staff members who examine areas where additional funds would make a difference to students, faculty members, and the general health of the College. There are always more needs than a single Campaign can accommodate. The Campaign planning committee helps to prioritize the list. They also take the lead in putting together the "nucleus fund" to get the Campaign started and to make the goal credible when it is publicly announced.

Q. When did Wooster’s campaign begin and what are its objectives?

A. The "Campaign clock" began ticking on July 1, 2000, and the Campaign will conclude on June 30, 2007. The public phase of the Campaign began in October 2003. The goal is $122 million, and includes approximately $53 million for new endowment, $47 million for capital construction and renovation, and $22 million for current operations, including all annual fund gifts received during the Campaign period.

Q. How was the "Independent Minds" theme chosen?

A. Wooster is nationally recognized for its focus on independent learning, culminating in the Senior Independent Study project done by every Wooster student. That independent spirit carries over into other aspects of college life, too, and "Independent Minds" really seemed to capture the essence of the Wooster experience.

Q. How is the current campaign progressing?

A. The Campaign is making good progress. So far, we have received more than $90 million in cash and pledges toward the $122 million goal. A number of new buildings on campus are the result of Campaign gifts: Gault Admissions Center, Longbrake Student Wellness Center, Burton D. Morgan Hall, and Bornhuetter Residence Hall are wonderful enhancements of student life, and all were paid for with Campaign gifts. It is also significant that a number of endowed professorships and student scholarships have been provided by special gifts to the Campaign.

Q. Tell us about the planned renovation of Kauke Hall and why this project is so important to the College?

A. Kauke Hall is Wooster’s largest academic building and the symbolic intellectual heart of the campus. Originally constructed in 1902 following the great fire that destroyed Old Main, members of the local Wooster community responded to a challenge grant from Andrew Carnegie and provided the funds needed to build Kauke Hall. Virtually every Wooster student in the last 100 years has attended classes in Kauke. The renovation plan calls for re-configuring the inside of the building in a way that will restore the feeling of the original building. The lowered ceilings installed in 1962 will come out, and many of the distinctive features of this landmark structure will be restored. Faculty offices will be on the west wing, with classrooms of different sizes on the east side. Classrooms will be technologically up-to-date, and there will be spaces for students and faculty members to meet and talk informally before or after class.

Q. What role will the community play this time?

A. We expect that local businesses and citizens will play the same pivotal role they did in 1902! A local committee of business leaders, alumni and friends are working to encourage gifts to Kauke Hall. Tomorrow (Aug. 17) at 5 p.m., the College is hosting an evening of blue grass music along with the opportunity to tour Kauke, meet with architects, and get a first-hand look at plans for "the new" Kauke. Local alumni, parents and friends, as well as business and professional leaders, will participate in this event, and we encourage any local residents who have an interest in the project to attend, too.

Q. What role are alumni playing in the current campaign?

A. Every Campaign for Wooster has relied primarily on the support of alumni to assure its success. Alumni know the College best, and have the most reason to invest in its continuing vitality and strength. Gifts may be directed to special projects or used where they are needed most. Annual Wooster Fund gifts are counted in the Campaign. Alumni can take pride in helping to assure that Wooster will continue to serve future generations of students by providing the highest quality of liberal arts education.