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ΊΪΑΟΜμΜΓ Reaching β€œUpward & Onward” With $150 Million Fundraising Campaign

Posted on October 13, 2015
Bob Lowry

Upward & Onward logo data-lightbox='featured'

The ΊΪΑΟΜμΜΓ today announced the largest fundraising campaign in its history. β€œUpward & Onward” is a $150 million comprehensive fundraising campaign that will elevate and accelerate every aspect of USA's mission β€” education, research, service, health care, economic development, athletics, and the arts and humanities.

β€œThe University’s strategic priorities β€” Student Access and Success, Enhancement of Research and Graduate Education, Global Engagement, Excellence in Health Care, and University-Community Engagement β€” are critically important for our students and the wider community,” said Dr. Tony Waldrop, ΊΪΑΟΜμΜΓ president. β€œOur best opportunity to achieve the goals within these priorities is to ensure that we have the financial means to do so.”

USA’s 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.

β€œThe phrase β€˜Upward, Onward’ is found in the lyrics of our alma mater, and it describes today’s ΊΪΑΟΜμΜΓ perfectly,” said Dr. Joseph Busta, vice president for development and alumni relations. β€œAlthough ΊΪΑΟΜμΜΓ 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.”

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 University’s Board of Trustees since 1993, including a term as chair pro tempore.

β€œMy wife and I have benefited enormously from our ΊΪΑΟΜμΜΓ experiences,” Dr. Stokes said. β€œThe opportunities we had are opportunities that we want others to experience as well.”

β€œUSA has given us so much,” said Mrs. Stokes. β€œWe 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 ΊΪΑΟΜμΜΓ education.”

Businessman and longtime USA supporter Abraham β€œAbe” Mitchell, whose record $50 million gift in the quiet phase of the campaign led to the creation of the University’s landmark Mitchell-Moulton Scholarship Initiative, has agreed to serve as the campaign’s 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.

ΊΪΑΟΜμΜΓ Upward & Onward: A Campaign for the ΊΪΑΟΜμΜΓ

Upward & Onward: A Campaign for the ΊΪΑΟΜμΜΓ is a $150 million fundraising campaign that will elevate and accelerate every aspect of USA's mission β€” 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.

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