University of South Alabama Reaching âUpward & Onwardâ With $150 Million Fundraising Campaign
Posted on October 13, 2015
The University of South Alabama today announced the largest fundraising campaign in its history. âUpward & Onwardâ is a $150 million comprehensive fundraising campaign that will elevate and accelerate every aspect of USA's mission â education, research, service, health care, economic development, athletics, and the arts and humanities.
âThe Universityâs strategic priorities â Student Access and Success, Enhancement of Research and Graduate Education, Global Engagement, Excellence in Health Care, and University-Community Engagement â are critically important for our students and the wider community,â said Dr. Tony Waldrop, University of South Alabama president. âOur best opportunity to achieve the goals within these priorities is to ensure that we have the financial means to do so.â
ĐÓ°ÉÔ´´âs Upward & Onward campaign began two years ago with a quiet phase, and to date $73,129,165 has been raised, representing 20,734 gifts from 15,492 donors. The campaign will conclude in 2020.
âThe phrase âUpward, Onwardâ is found in the lyrics of our alma mater, and it describes todayâs University of South Alabama perfectly,â said Dr. Joseph Busta, vice president for development and alumni relations. âAlthough South Alabama is a relatively young university, we have accomplished much and are always striving to accomplish more. This is what our Upward & Onward campaign is all about.â
Dr. and Mrs. Steven H. Stokes are serving as co-chairs of the Upward & Onward campaign. Stokes and his wife, Angelia, are USA alumni. She completed her business degree in 1979, and he received his medical degree in 1980. He is a practicing radiation oncologist in the Dothan area and has served on the Universityâs Board of Trustees since 1993, including a term as chair pro tempore.
âMy wife and I have benefited enormously from our University of South Alabama experiences,â Dr. Stokes said. âThe opportunities we had are opportunities that we want others to experience as well.â
âUSA has given us so much,â said Mrs. Stokes. âWe both are compelled to give back in a way that will encourage others to give, too. The Upward & Onward campaign will enable many more students to experience what we have experienced, which is a life-changing University of South Alabama education.â
Businessman and longtime USA supporter Abraham âAbeâ Mitchell, whose record $50 million gift in the quiet phase of the campaign led to the creation of the Universityâs landmark Mitchell-Moulton Scholarship Initiative, has agreed to serve as the campaignâs honorary chairman. Mitchell last year was named an honorary trustee in recognition of his service to the University.
For information on Upward & Onward, visit www.southalabama.edu/campaign, email campaign@southalabama.edu, or call (251) 460-7032.
About Upward & Onward: A Campaign for the University of South Alabama
Upward & Onward: A Campaign for the University of South Alabama is a $150 million fundraising campaign that will elevate and accelerate every aspect of USA's mission â education, research, service, health care, economic development, athletics, and the arts and humanities. Our aspirations are bold, but they are within our reach. We intend to achieve our broad vision for the future through five focused priorities that form the components of the Upward & Onward campaign: Student Access and Success; Enhancement of Research and Graduate Education; Global Engagement; Excellence in Health Care; and University-Community Engagement.
