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�鶹�� College proudly announces the successful completion of the We Rise: United for �鶹��’s Future capital campaign, raising an extraordinary total of approximately $21.75 million over three years. This achievement reflects the deep generosity and enduring belief in �鶹��’s mission shared by alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the College.

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In May 2022, �鶹�� College launched the We Rise campaign, a transformative fundraising initiative designed to provide a strong foundation for �鶹��’s future. The campaign responded directly to the challenges brought on by the pandemic and the rapidly changing higher education environment.

The We Rise campaign centered on five strategic priorities: Scholarships, Growth Initiatives, Faculty and Staff Support, Debt Reduction, and the �鶹�� Fund & Unrestricted Giving. These pillars directly aligned with the College’s five-year strategic plan, Future �鶹��: The Phoenix Rises, reinforcing the institution’s core mission to provide a transformative and affordable education. By investing in these key areas, the campaign provided a platform for sustainable growth and institutional resilience. This vision was championed by �鶹��’s leadership and Board of Trustees, who recognized that critical funding was essential to sustaining momentum and unlocking future potential for the College.

“Thanks to the strategic efforts of our dedicated faculty, staff, and administration, �鶹�� is well-positioned to thrive amid the evolving landscape of higher education,” said Jennifer Nickle Banzhof ’94, chair of the �鶹�� College Board of Trustees and member of the We Rise campaign committee. “Recognizing the importance of a strong investment in the strategic initiatives, the Trustees prioritized securing additional funding to enrich the academic curricula, attract and retain talented students, faculty, and staff, and ensure a �鶹�� education remains both accessible and transformational.”   

Fueled by the campaign’s success, �鶹�� College achieved a historic milestone in Fall 2025 by reaching the highest-ever point-in-time enrollment, with a 38% increase over the past three years. This surge reflects the impact of the strategic plan and marks a defining moment in �鶹��’s history. 

President Wesley Fugate, Ph.D., captured the spirit of the campaign when he said, “This is our time—to steady this College, to rise above the noise, to prove that �鶹�� doesn’t just survive… she endures, she inspires, and she transforms.”

What made We Rise truly special was the breadth and depth of support—from young alumni making their first $1,000 gifts to longtime trustees doubling their commitments. This collective spirit of generosity and belief in �鶹��’s future will be honored with a donor recognition display, to be unveiled this fall on the ground floor of John Stewart Memorial Library. The display will serve as a lasting reminder of what’s possible when a community rises together in pursuit of a bold and hopeful future.