University of Southern Indiana

USI Alumni Association

Issue 9: March 2004
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Successful Challenge for Academic Excellence Campaign

USI alumni, including Honorary Alumni, contributed $3,762,613 to the Challenge for Academic Excellence, helping the University qualify for a total of $4 million in matching grants from the Lilly Endowment.

"It is difficult for a relatively young institution to build endowments. We are grateful for the gifts which allowed us to qualify for this vital matching program," said USI President H. Ray Hoops. "And the annual earnings will help make up the gap between state funding and our greatest academic needs at a time when we are challenged by diminished state resources."

In 2003, the University exceeded its Challenge goals in three of four categories: Employees, $383,075 with a $250,000 goal; Alumni, $3,762,613 with a $3 million goal; and Family, $346,537 with a $250,000 goal. The Boards challenge for USI's Board of Trustees and USI Foundation's Board of Directors reached $600,248 of a $1 million goal in 2002.

Gifts for any academic purpose qualified for the match, and Lilly's $4 million in matching funds is establishing the first multimillion dollar endowment to enhance academics at USI.

The University's Endowment for Academic Excellence will provide annual income to support academic needs where the need is greatest. After the full endowment is invested, annual income is expected to exceed $175,000.

The challenge was offered to all 35 Indiana colleges and universities in a Lilly Endowment initiative to strengthen philanthropy for Indiana higher education institution

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