Campaign Celebration Speech
February 20, 2003
Bruce W. Benedict'60
Chair, Campaign St. Lawrence
Good Evening - Ladies and Gentlemen- I am pleased to announce
officially what all of you already know, that not only reached its goal
of $130 million but exceeded it by reaching $132.2 million from 20,514
donors. This is a tremendous accomplishment for St. Lawrence. If I can
take you back to 1994, when the first conversations about this Campaign
began, we hoped we might achieve a $55 - 60 million goal. But by September
1997, we had raised $40 million in the silent phase, giving us the confidence
to seek $75 million by December 2000. You helped us reach that level
one year early and inspired the extension of . I had faith that we'd
celebrate this work together, though the reality is much better than
the anticipation!
We all know that a successful campaign conclusion begins with a successful
campaign beginning, years before a public announcement and involving many people
who contributed to the effort. I pause for a moment to acknowledge the exemplary
work of Sue Washburn and Patti McGill Peterson who helped us plan the beginning
of this campaign. They also led the silent phase of the campaign and raised
the initial $30 million of .
There is no way the Campaign would have been successful
without your effort and support. At the time we publicly launched the
Campaign in 1997, the on-campus effort co-chaired by Rita Goldberg, resulted
in a participation rate for faculty and staff of 82%, absolutely outstanding.
A capital campaign requires leadership, but it will not be successful
without broad support. That is what this campaign received from you.
Although we are grateful for the generosity of all donors, believe me
when I say your support was not just financial. Everyone on this campus
assisted the Campaign by what you do and how you do it every day. We
cannot convince potential donors to give if they do not receive a favorable
impression regarding the university.
Please raise your glass of champagne and join me in a toast to all of you,
who in one way or another contributed to the success of .
As I mentioned, a campaign requires leadership, and in
my opinion, there were four leadership teams that I wish to recognize.
The first is what I call "The Professionals",
the Advancement staff. St Lawrence has been fortunate over the years
to attract highly capable leadership for our advancement effort. It started
with a gentleman, whom few of you know, named Duane Dittman. He, I believe,
started St. Lawrence on the road to successful fundraising. He was ably
followed by someone, whom most of you do know, Sarge Whittier. The number
of individuals who trained under Sarge, and went on to be leaders in
Development is remarkable. Following Sarge was Sue Washburn, who among
a number of other accomplishments hired the individuals who have led
the main fund raising areas of . They are the current Vice President
of Advancement, Mike Archibald; and the current Associate Vice President
of Development, Tom Pynchon; and the person who occupied Tom's position
for most of the campaign, Pete Beekman. These people plus Susan Pankey,
Director of Corporation and Foundation Relations and Lisa Cania, Associate
Vice President of University Relations were the "Professional" leaders
in the successful . I would like them and any other members of the Advancement
staff here this evening to rise and be thanked by all of us.
Before I move to the next team, I wish to remember Linda
Pettit. Linda's contribution to and the University is well known by you.
As Chair of the Campaign, to me, Linda's knowledge, judgement and spirit
were invaluable. I would like everyone to take a moment to remember Linda
and all she did for the campaign and for St. Lawrence.
The second team is the Campaign Steering Committee. Probably
only the trustees know of this committee made up of the trustees who
have been the major volunteers in . This committee, along with "The
Professionals," directed the Campaign from month to month, year
to year. We have had many meetings and I would like to express my personal
appreciation for all the time and effort they have expended on behalf
of the Campaign. After I read their names, would they all please stand
and be recognized:
My Vice Chairs, Karen Bruett, David Torrey and Larry Winston.
Chair of The Advancement Committee, Ed Amsler
Sabra Bartlett
Mary Bijur
Richard Brush
Frank Burr
Dekkers Davidson
Caroline Hovey
Sarah Johnson
Midge Longley
Archie MacAllaster
Amanda Pearson
Michael Ranger
Al Viebranz
Ed Wilson
The next team is the Board of Trustees. I still remember
the meeting of the Campaign Steering Committee when I proposed that in
order for the Campaign to reach the original goal of $75 million, the
goal for the Board of Trustees should be $17 million. Let me tell you,
there was not a lot of conviction in that committee that the trustees
would donate anywhere near that amount. As a matter of fact, I think
I heard a few groans. Well, I am pleased to tell you that of the $132.2
million, the Board of Trustees are true leaders, giving $35.6 million,
27% of the Campaign total. This is a tremendous accomplishment. According
to my friends in development, the 27% is at the high end of the range
for trustee giving to a campaign.
Would all current and former Trustees please stand?
I believe most development professionals will tell you
that it is rare that a person will volunteer to chair a Capital Campaign.
I know I didn't volunteer. Karen Bruett and Larry Winston had asked me
to do it but I was reticent to say the least…. until I met Dan and
Ann Sullivan, the last team I'll mention and a team if there ever was
one. Before Dan assumed the presidency of St. Lawrence, he was nice enough
to visit Ann & me at our home and during that conversation I sensed
that contrary to most college Presidents, this man might actually like
fund raising! I believe many do not realize how much time, effort and
travel they both have given to make this campaign a success. Dan has
articulated a vision for this institution that became the compelling
motivation for our generous donors. At every stage, Ann's ideas were
invaluable and her insights about strategy appreciated. Their dedication
is a model for presidential leadership and all of us involved with understand
how lucky we are to have them.
I thank Ann and Dan for all their efforts on behalf of and close my remarks
by asking all of you to raise your glass again in a toast to their leadership:
To Dan and Ann Sullivan!
