Donors Gave $75 Million In 1999-2000 |
CLEMSON, SC -- Donors gave Clemson University $75.7 million
during the fiscal year that ended June 30. Two extraordinary contributions of intellectual property propelled Clemson to this unprecedented level of annual private support. "The year we've just experienced in fund raising reflects the commitment to excellence that drives everything Clemson people do," said Jim Barker, Clemson president. "This is a remarkable university supported by a remarkable family of alumni, donors, faculty, staff and students." It was also a year of remarkable contributions. Eastman Chemical Company of Tennessee bestowed a gift of intellectual property valued at $38 million. The donation of research data and more than 100 patents related to fiber absorbency amounted to the largest gift in the university's history. Hoechst Research and Technology of New Jersey made a similar gift -- $12 million in patents and intellectual property related to cut-resistance technology for manmade fibers. However, the extraordinary gifts raise a concern with fund-raisers: possible donor complacency. The $75 million may imply the five-year capital campaign will coast to its $260 million goal by the June 2001 deadline. That is not the case, said campaign officials. Fund-raising this year fell slightly short of its $28 million target by approximately $2.6 million. "The patents and intellectual property are long-term resources, which will yield financial benefits some years to come," said Mendal Bouknight, Clemson's chief development officer. There were a number of "pluses" that offset the disappointment from missing the mark. "This year's total is a $2.5 million increase in cash and stock over last year's total, which included more real estate and in-kind contributions," said Bouknight. Other 1999-2000 gift highlights include: * a 1 percent increase over last year in gifts for student aid, scholarship and fellowship programs. Donors gave slightly more than $12 million, surpassing last year's $11.9 million. * a 26 percent increase -- $214,547 -- in gifts for the library. * a 12 percent jump in the number of alumni making gifts. The number rose from 13,036 in 1998-99 to 14,793 in 1999-2000. A report on private giving will be distributed to the Clemson board of trustees Friday (July 14) in Charleston. The annual fund figures -- which do not include support for contracted research or other sponsored programs or contributions made directly to IPTAY, the university's athletic fund-raising organization -- reflect actual gifts received, not pledges to be paid out over several years. Preliminary reports indicate IPTAY booster club will surpass $10 million in giving and grow to more than 23,000 members, both new records. Final figures for athletics will be ready in August. "Our successes this past year set the stage for the final year of our capital campaign," said Barker. Purposes for Which Donors to Clemson University and the Clemson University Foundation Made Gifts in 1999-2000 Student Aid, Scholarships & Fellowships - $12,075,737 Library - $ 214,548 Faculty Aid, Chairs & Professorships - $ 587,793 Departments/Colleges/Equipment - $ 9,508,755 Other/Multipurpose - $ 291,261 Unrestricted - $ 644,257 Facilities - $ 1,045,059 Research (does not include contracted research) - $ 51,364,500 TOTAL - $ 75,731,910
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