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9/10/10

Private Gifts To St. Lawrence University Increase

CANTON - St. Lawrence University's total gift income from private sources for the 2009-2010 fiscal year was $17,671,469, an increase of 24 percent over the previous year.

With assistance from these gifts, the University is able to provide scholarship aid for students, improve facilities used by St. Lawrence students and the community and honor two long-time North Country residents.

Gifts to the St. Lawrence Fund, which represents gifts from alumni, parents and friends in support of the University's ongoing operations, increased 6 percent to $4,845,273, from 9,379 donors. The number of donors showed an increase over last year, by 319.

Overall giving from alumni was up 39 percent, including both annual and capital gifts. Participation in the Alumni Fund also increased, from 33 percent to 35 percent. Support from corporations, foundations and organizations increased 27 percent, and planned gifts from alumni, parents and friends, increased 56 percent.

Momentum St. Lawrence, the University's major fund-raising initiative, increased by $15.2 million in commitments, which includes new gifts and pledges, bringing the campaign total to $165 million toward its $200 million overall goal. Momentum St. Lawrence will conclude on December 31, 2010.

Most of the gifts to the St. Lawrence Fund are unrestricted, with the University able to use the income for annual expenses where needed. One area funded by those gifts is scholarship aid to students, many of whom are from the North Country.

This year, 286 students from the North Country counties of St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Lewis, Franklin, Clinton and Essex are enrolled at the University. Of those, 257 receive financial aid from the University's own resources, amounting to some $6.7 million. The average aid package (including grants, loans and campus employment) for students from those counties is approximately $39,000. Overall, some 85 percent of St. Lawrence students receive financial aid.

Campus projects supported by gifts this year include:

- The $7 million renovation to the Noble University Center-Griffiths Arts Center complex, which included a $1.75 million gift from Karen Peterson to fund the new Peterson-Kermani Performance Hall, to be dedicated October 22.

- Construction/relocation of the Java House performance space and student radio station KSLU, a $300,000 project which included demolition of the former bookstore and health center. The new facility will be dedicated October 21.

- Renovation of the football locker room in the Augsbury Athletic Complex, a $300,000 project which will be named in honor of Ted "Bear" Stratford '57 and dedicated October 2.

In addition, gifts provided support for the renovation of North Country Field and the construction of Hall-Leet Stadium, which honors former coaches Dotty Hall and Donald Leet. It will be dedicated October 1.

Details about all facilities dedications will be announced later in the fall. The athletic facilities are used not only by St. Lawrence students, but also by North Country high school athletes, and the community is welcomed at performances held on campus as well.

"The recession of 2008 challenged every charitable organization in America, and St. Lawrence was no exception," said Vice President for University Advancement Michael P. Archibald. "Our giving totals dropped significantly in 2008-09, but what we experienced in the most recent year is a partial return of donor confidence, leading to our $17.7 million total. Throughout these difficult times, our supporters have continued to make St. Lawrence a priority, even within limited means. We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary dedication expressed by Laurentians everywhere, and we pledge to be excellent stewards of their gifts and to use these funds so as to be of greatest benefit to our students."

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