After weeks of late nights, the
“You are Union” campaign web site was launched on
Friday, Oct. 1, just after the College's Board of Trustees approved the $200
million fund drive.
The site customizes to display
content relevant to visitors of six different eras. “We all have unique Union
experiences, and we wanted our campaign web site to reflect that, just as the
printed material for the campaign does,” said Jim Feck,
the College's web director. “We're proud to provide a relevant experience
to every alumnus and friend who visits the site.”
The site was developed by a team
that also included Joe Bodden, web coordinator for College Relations; Jason
Slater, web specialist; and Erik Espana, web
programmer.
The site is at http://www.union.edu/youareunion/
The “You are Union”
campaign will advance the College by supporting a number of initiatives
including Converging Technologies, residential life, international programs,
scholarships and faculty excellence.
“This campaign will allow us
to continue the rich tradition of pioneering excellence that is at the heart of
the Union experience,” said President Roger H. Hull. “All colleges
can lay claim to one of the five things that separate us, but no college can be
said to do all five: making students at home in other cultures, technology,
undergraduate research, and service to community in a unique living-learning
environment. These are the benchmarks for the 'You are Union'
campaign.”
The campaign, which will conclude
in June 2009, has already raised $80 million in its “silent phase.”
Ultimately, the money raised will be divided nearly evenly between the support
of current programs and new initiatives.
Among the specific programs and
initiatives the campaign will fund are:
• $37.1 million for student
scholarships to attract and retain an exceptional, diverse student body;
• $33.5 million to reinvigorate
residential life, including creating the Minerva system and construction and
renovation of numerous residence halls and dining facilities;
• $31.5 million to fund 21 endowed
chairs and professorships to support and strengthen Union's
faculty;
• $24.9 million to strengthen the
Converging Technologies initiative through renovation of the science and
engineering building complex and creating CT endowments;
• $11 million to expand
international study through terms abroad;
• $10.4 million to fund
construction and renovation of athletic facilities, including Bailey Field, the
Viniar Sports Complex, and the College Park athletic field;
• $8 million to further promote
and expand undergraduate research, including creating an endowment for summer
research programs;
• $5.7 million for arts expansion,
including renovation of North Colonnade and creating arts endowments; and
• $4.6 million for library
acquisitions to support an exceptional library facility.
Three alumni trustees are
co-chairing the campaign – Mark Walsh '76,
entrepreneur and venture capitalist; Frank Messa '73, senior vice president of
Ayco Co.; and John Wold '38, scientist, businessman and former Congressman
(honorary co-chair).