University of Findlay Launches Largest Fundraising Campaign in its History

The University of Findlay launched the public phase of its largest fundraising campaign in its 140-year history on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. Together We Will: the Campaign for the Future of University of Findlay seeks to raise $75 million over a seven year period, with a total of $47,695,780 already raised.

The mission of the Together We Will campaign is to develop University of Findlay graduates who serve and lead with purpose, passion, and skill. Primary objectives of the campaign are to provide affordable education and enrich the student experience. Donors to the campaign can enrich the student experience through gifts to:

• endow scholarships
• support new and expanded capital projects for state-of-the-art learning spaces, laboratories, and athletic facilities
• provide research and leadership opportunities
• inspire students to serve and lead with purpose through experiential learning opportunities

A major leadership gift that has already helped to fuel the Together We Will campaign was a $6 million gift from campaign co-chairs Billy ‘96 and Brenda Watterson this past April to support building the new Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership on campus. When asked about his support both financially and as co-chair of the committee, Watterson said, “this campaign will provide the resources necessary for students to get out into the world and be productive – to do great things – and also do it through a lens of caring for people. One person won’t change the world, but together we can, and we will,” said Watterson.

The public launch event was celebrated during the University’s Homecoming and Family Weekend, which also simultaneously celebrated the University’s 140th year as an institution.  “We are so pleased with the generous gifts from so many community members and alumni in the early stages of the campaign. These gifts are already impacting the lives of our UF students and faculty in so many ways,” said Marcia Sloan Latta, Ed.D., Vice President for University Advancement. “It’s inspiring to think about the philanthropic gifts by visionary leaders that helped establish our institution back in 1882 and how, together, we can help propel the University even farther into the future.”

University of Findlay President, Katherine Fell, Ph.D., added, “I am deeply grateful for our generous donors near and far–the ones who are giving now and those who will join us in this new phase of our exciting campaign.  Together, we will make even stronger our values-driven, academically rigorous University, serving students near and far well into the future.”

For more information on Together We Will: the Campaign for the Future of University of Findlay visit give.findlay.edu.

Event photos can be found at the University of Findlay’s Flickr account.