Western New England College has embarked on the most ambitious fundraising campaign in the College's history, a $20 million effort that will enable the College to advance its mission of helping students achieve their educational and career goals. "Transformations: The Campaign for Western New England College" is the first time the College has undertaken a comprehensive campaign with multiple priorities.

The College entered the public phase of the multi-year campaign with a campus celebration Tuesday, September 19. "We are launching the period in the Campaign when we invite everyone to participate," said Dr. Anthony S. Caprio, College president. "Western New England College is a dynamic place where we invest in our students and prepare them for lives of leadership, principle, and accomplishment. Our Campaign theme, Transformations, speaks to the College's history of providing a transformative educational experience for students. Through this Campaign, the College will undergo an equally meaningful transformation." Since the launch of its leadership phase in July 2003, the Campaign has raised more than $15 million from a select group of individuals, foundations, and corporations. The public phase of the Campaign is expected to last through December 2007.

Gifts to the Campaign will support initiatives and programs in four areas:

Academic Quality ($8.45 million):  The College has identified specific goals in the areas of academic facilities and programs.   These include a major expansion of the S. Prestley Blake Law Center, home to the Western New England College School of Law. Groundbreaking is scheduled for spring of 2007.

Student Enrichment ($4.05 million):  The College has worked to upgrade non-academic buildings used by all students and athletic facilities used by the nearly two-thirds of undergraduate students who participate in intercollegiate and intramural sports. These improvements include a major renovation of the St. Germain Campus Center, the new Golden Bear multi-purpose turf stadium, and the George E. Trelease Memorial Baseball Park.

Financial Aid Endowment ($5 million):  More than 70 percent of undergraduates and 80 percent of law students require some form of financial aid. Gifts for financial aid endowment will ease the financial burden on students and their families, helping the College attract, enroll, and retain deserving, hardworking students.
 
The Fund for Western New England College ($2.5 million):  Gifts to the Fund for Western New England College give the institution the flexibility to address multiple areas, allowing the College to meet challenges and capitalize on opportunities for excellence as they arise.

Gifts during the Campaign's leadership phase have already had a profound impact on the campus, providing upgrades to facilities and technology, along with new opportunities for students. Besides the renovated Campus Center and new athletic fields, the Campaign supported the building of a 6,000 square foot addition to D'Amour Library, transforming it into a center for educational technology, complete with a new television studio and Digital Learning Center. Campaign gifts also support the Law and Business Center for Advancing Entrepreneurship, which coordinates the efforts of law and business faculty and their students to provide expertise for new entrepreneurs.

Cochairing the Campaign are two Western New England College alumni - Donald G. Campbell and Kevin S. Delbridge. "In putting the Campaign together, the College has set priorities that reflect its dedication to academic excellence and development of the whole student," says Delbridge. A 1977 graduate of the College's School of Business, Delbridge is a senior managing director of HarbourVest Partners LLC, a global private equity investment firm based in Boston. Campbell, Vice Chairman of The TJX Companies, Inc., earned both his undergraduate degree and his M.B.A. from Western New England College. "While the goal is very achievable, there is a lot of work to be done to raise the remaining $5 million," Campbell said. "We need everyone to get on board." Besides serving as Campaign Cochairs, both Campbell and Delbridge are members of the College's Board of Trustees.

Alumni and friends of Western New England College interested in becoming involved in the Campaign should contact the Advancement Division at 413-782-1335 or toll free at 800-325-1122. Campaign-related news and information is available on the web at www.wnec.edu/campaign.