$500M: University announces largest fundraising campaign in its history

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s $500 million comprehensive fundraising campaign is underway.

Together: The Campaign for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is the largest single fundraising initiative in University history.

UL Lafayette announced the start of the campaign’s public phase during an event on Friday, Nov. 5.

President Dr. Joseph Savoie said reaching the half-billion-dollar goal by the campaign’s conclusion in 2025 will “enhance the role the University plays in strengthening our community, deepening our wider understanding, and opening the door to a world-class education for those who come here to pursue their aspirations.”

“This campaign is our moment to look upward and see that the only obstacle we face – the only limit we have – is our own capacity to dream,” Savoie said.

“Together, we can – and will – shape the future.”

The campaign’s priorities are to increase philanthropic support for:

• Student success and teaching, including increased scholarship access; enhanced teaching and learning environments; and optimized facilities for student-athletes.
• Research and discovery, including attracting and retaining faculty members; expanding research program and partnerships; and modernizing research facilities.
• Service to the community, which includes creating and enhancing performance spaces; expanding K-12 public education impact; and strengthening the University’s role in health care workforce creation.

The campaign is more than halfway to its $500 million target. John Blohm, UL Lafayette vice president for University Advancement and CEO of the UL Lafayette Foundation, said alumni and friends have provided over $303 million in gifts and pledges during its initial phase, which began in 2016.

“It takes an extraordinary place to motivate this level of generosity, and the results of the campaign’s initial phase provides great momentum – a running start – for what we plan to accomplish over the next few years,” Blohm said.

To date, the campaign has enabled the University to create four endowed chairs and 34 endowed professorships, and 122 endowed student scholarship funds.

Alumni and friends have chosen to support the construction and renovation of teaching and learning spaces in several academic colleges, including:

• the Northwestern Mutual Sales and Research Lab and the Maraist Financial Services Lab in the B.I Moody III College of Business Administration.
• the Cabot Process Simulation Lab; Chevron Cement/Barrier Lab; Franks CAD Student Education Laboratory; Greg Guidry Energy Systems Laboratory; David S. Huval Sr. Engineering Materials Testing and Development Laboratory; Nick Pugh Aerospace Electronics Research Lab; and the Solar Energy Program of Excellence, all in the College of Engineering.
• the Grant Gibson Interdisciplinary Research Laboratory in the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.
• the renovation of the Roy House as the new home for the Center for Louisiana Studies and creation of the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center. Both are in the College of Liberal Arts.

Donors provided support for Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics that has resulted in:

• the renovation of Russo Park baseball stadium;
• a new video scoreboard at Lamson Park softball stadium; and
• construction of the Donald and Janice Mosing Student-Athlete Performance Center and the Golf Indoor Teaching Facility at Oakbourne Country Club.

The $303 million raised so far in the campaign includes the two largest gift commitments in University history – $20 million from LHC Group to the College of Nursing and Allied Health Professions and $15 million from Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center for the renovation of Cajun Field. The University received both pledges this year.

Of the nearly 25,000 individuals who have given to the campaign to date, 62% are alumni, 30% are friends, and 8% are organizations, noted Dr. Jaimie Hebert, UL Lafayette’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

“This campaign has provided more opportunities for student success, world-class facilities for our student-athletes, a deeper connection to this community and its culture, and a stronger, better prepared and more agile workforce.

“None of this would have been possible without donors and friends working with the University to empower our students and change their destinies,” Hebert added.

“We can’t wait to see where this campaign takes us – together.”

Visit together.louisiana.edu for more on the campaign’s goals and priorities.