Louisiana State University announces the university’s largest fundraising campaign

June 20, 2006

Overlooking Columbus Circle from New York City's Jazz at Lincoln Center, LSU Chancellor Sean O'Keefe announces the Forever LSU campaign goal of $750 million by 2010, LSU's 150th anniversary.
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BATON ROUGE – Louisiana State University Chancellor Sean O’Keefe announced the launch of Forever LSU: The Campaign for Louisiana State University, the largest, most ambitious fundraising effort in the university’s history, at an evening reception with alumni and friends at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Monday, June 19.

Through the Forever LSU campaign, O’Keefe said the university’s goal is to raise $750 million by 2010, the 150th anniversary of LSU.

The campaign, named in reference to the last line of the university’s Alma Mater, is an outgrowth of the national Flagship Agenda – a plan to position LSU as one of the leading public institutions in the nation.

“ Working with one of the lowest endowments of a public flagship institution, LSU has excelled across the board despite its limited resources and has remained competitive with its peers,” O’Keefe said. “Public support assures that LSU is a good university; private funds will guarantee that it is a great university.”

Coordinated by LSU’s three foundations – the LSU Foundation, Tiger Athletic Foundation and the LSU Alumni Association – the campaign involves LSU’s main campus, the LSU AgCenter and the LSU Law Center.

The monies raised will be dedicated to LSU’s endowment, a permanent investment fund, which will finance the university’s flagship goals of attracting and retaining the best faculty, students and staff and improving campus infrastructure and research.

The campaign’s contributions will fund four areas of LSU, known as the campaign pillars, which encompass student support, faculty support, university-wide support and campus infrastructure. Through an increased endowment, students will see a number of additional merit-based and need-based scholarships, as well as graduate fellowships. These opportunities will attract and retain the most talented students. LSU will have dedicated funds for increasing the number of endowed chairs and professorships for its faculty. This funding will attract and retain dynamic professors and researchers.

To support university-wide efforts, funding will also enhance existing programs at undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as initiate and support new academic opportunities. Funding will provide new equipment and technology and the construction of new laboratory and research space. Other vital infrastructure improvements will be made to ensure that LSU is poised and ready to serve the students of tomorrow. New facilities and renovations will expand LSU’s many programs as well.

O’Keefe’s announcement kicks off a week-long tour to meet with alumni and friends in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Houston, culminating with a celebration in Baton Rouge on Friday, June 23.

For a full schedule of campaign events and for updates throughout the campaign’s duration, visit www.foreverlsu.org. Press kits are available on the site under “Media Resources” in the “About the Campaign” menu.

For more information contact LSU’s Media Relations Department at 225-578-8654.