"CREATING GREAT FUTURES" FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCED

PENSACOLA -The University of West Florida announced the public kickoff of its largest ever comprehensive fundraising campaign, "Creating Great Futures," Sept. 25 at a celebration event held at the Pensacola Naval Aviation Museum.

UWF President Cavanaugh announced that during the silent phase of the campaign, which started July 1, 2004, $22 million was raised in support of the university. This total includes gifts and pledges, as well as endowment and facilities matching funds from the state of Florida. The goal of the "Creating Great Futures" campaign is to raise a total of $35 million in support of UWF endeavors.   "Through the campaign, we hope to significantly increase the number and amount of need-based scholarships, as well as increase support for many important initiatives of the university," said K. C. Clark, chair of the UWF Board of Trustees.   The campaign focuses on six priorities: Endowed Scholarships; Health Care; Business and Economic Development; Science, Engineering and Technology; Public History and Archaeology; and the Arts.   "Last night, we acknowledged the support of thousands of people, especially those who have provided leadership gifts, to the 'Creating Great Futures Campaign,'" said John Cavanaugh, UWF President. "Their great generosity has already resulted in more than $22 million in gifts and pledges to UWF, a great beginning toward our campaign goal of $35 million. The scholarships and program support we will be able to provide as a result of this outpouring of support will help thousands of students in perpetuity get the high quality university education they need and deserve. Our academic programs will be able to achieve ever higher levels of quality and success, and we will be able to continue to recruit and retain the best faculty and staff."   Among the notable gift commitments so far: $1.02 million in endowment support of the Master of Science in Nursing degree program through a gift from BlueCross BlueShield of Florida; $1 million in support of the UWF College of Business Scholastic Excellence Awards endowment fund from Bob Kimball; 18 Steinway pianos to the UWF Department of Music from Helen Wentworth; two major planned gifts to benefit the arts at UWF; and several major commitments to the Adm. John H. Fetterman State of Florida Maritime Museum and Research Center.   "UWF's 'Creating Great Futures Campaign' will enable us to positively impact the lives of countless students, as our beloved UWF truly becomes the best regional comprehensive university in America," said Marny Gilluly, member, UWF Board of Trustees.   For more information, contact Dean Van Galen, vice president for University Advancement, at (850) 474-2619 or visit http://uwf.edu/greatfutures. CAMPAIGN FACTS

Gifts to Date (July 1, 2004 through Sept. 25, 2007): $22 million

Major Support and Impact: *           33 - Gift commitments of $100,000 or greater *           4 - Gift commitments of $1 million or greater *           25 - New endowment funds in UWF Foundation *           $3.7 million in anticipated state matching funds *           Number of Campaign Donors (as of Sept. 25, 2007): 11,671   ###

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