University of Richmond launches 20-month campaign to raise $150 million for completion of Richmond Promise strategic plan goals

University of Richmond has launched a $150 million, 20-month campaign to complete the goals set down by its Richmond Promise strategic plan in 2009.

Comparatively brief and sharply focused in comparison to many campaigns, The Campaign for Richmond: Fulfilling the Promise will raise funds for specific initiatives of the strategic plan, including summer fellowships supporting student internships and research opportunities, scholarships, a new Center for Admission and Career Services and increased undergraduate alumni participation in philanthropy to the university.

More than 200 lead volunteers, campaign donors and university friends attended a leadership kickoff dinner on campus Feb. 22, announcing $115 million in gifts and commitments already in hand.

Students already are benefitting from gifts to the campaign. Some 120 new summer internships and research opportunities have been added to 230 created in recent years. Another $12 million in gifts will create new scholarships. Other contributions have made possible the construction of the Carole Weinstein International Center, Queally Hall at the Robins School of Business and E. Claiborne Robins Stadium. A gift by alumnus Rob Blandford and wife Nancy Everett has endowed community-based programming at UR Downtown.

Several program-oriented gifts have endowed new aspects of the student experience. The Jeanette Lipman Family Law Clinic enables Richmond law students to provide legal assistance to families and children. The Joan Oates Institute for Partners in the Arts prepares teachers to develop their own specialized plans for integrating arts into the classroom. The Richard L. Sharp Viewpoint Speakers Series presents competing views on topics crucial to the nation and world.

“Four years ago the university community – students, staff, faculty, alumni and friends – came together around a shared vision,” said Richmond President Edward L. Ayers. “The Richmond Promise articulated the aspirations that we had for the university for a five-year period, and we have accomplished a lot. The Campaign for Richmond will help us complete the goals that we set out to achieve by 2014 and fulfill the promises that we made to our students and the generations of students who will follow them.”

Austin Brockenbrough III of Richmond, a 1962 graduate and chair of the national campaign committee, said that giving to the campaign is investing not only in the university, but also the future of the country.

“Giving back is vital. It’s our investment in our nation’s brightest students and those who will lead our world tomorrow,” Brockenbrough said. “I’ve taken on this leadership role because I have found this Fulfilling the Promise campaign to be compelling and inspiring. As we support our students for future success, we also ensure the university’s strong future.”

E. Claiborne Robins Jr. of Richmond, a 1968 graduate and honorary campaign chair, said, “With The Campaign for Richmond: Fulfilling the Promise, we unite with shared Spider pride and a commitment to make sure that our students of today — and for generations to come — will benefit from the profound influence and impact of a Richmond education.”

Tom Gutenberger, the university’s vice president for advancement, explained that the sharp focus of the campaign on funding specific initiatives motivated the relatively brief time frame.

“Because of the focus on just a few initiatives central to the completion of the Richmond Promise, this campaign will have a short time frame — just 20 months of public fundraising,” Gutenberger said. “Traditionally campaigns typically run seven years — two years in a leadership phase and five years of fundraising in a public phase. This is significantly shorter, concentrating on specific goals.”

The kickoff weekend continued Feb. 23 with a brunch and program at Clear View, former home of the late E. Claiborne and Lora Robins, historic benefactors of the university. Ed Ayers, university president and award-winning scholar of the history of the American South, and Mike Gorman, National Park Service ranger and Richmond-based historian, spoke on the making of Steven Spielberg’s feature film, “Lincoln.” Both Ayers and Gorman served as advisors on the production.