Anderson University recently announced that 76 percent of the faculty and staff have contributed more than $2.4 million in gifts and pledges to the “Dreams. Discovery. Direction.” campaign. The public phase of the campaign for Anderson University was officially launched on October 5, 2006 and is the largest fundraising effort in the history of the institution. To date, more than $82.3 million has been raised toward the $110 million goal.

Anderson University recently announced that 76 percent of the faculty and staff have contributed more than $2.4 million in gifts and pledges to the “Dreams. Discovery. Direction.” campaign. The public phase of the campaign for Anderson University was officially launched on October 5, 2006 and is the largest fundraising effort in the history of the institution. To date, more than $82.3 million has been raised toward the $110 million goal.

“Nothing is more inspiring than to see this kind of giving that expresses so much about those who are at work on the campus every day and who share a vision for our future,” said Dr. James L. Edwards, president of Anderson University. “Theirs is one of the very best of the many stories we have to tell in this transforming effort. We are so grateful to our faculty and staff for their outstanding response to the campaign.”

“It is so wonderful that such a substantial percentage of our dedicated faculty and staff have provided financial support for our campaign at such a significant level,” said Bob Coffman, vice-president for Advancement at Anderson University. “The level of participation on-campus is truly remarkable within higher education circles. This kind of commitment is viewed as a very positive factor by other potential donors from outside the campus community as they consider their own gifts.”

“In addition to the outstanding contributions our faculty and staff make daily in support of the mission of AU, the high percentage of individuals willing to participate in the on-campus portion of the campaign is truly an example of going the extra mile,” said Janet Brewer, director of Nicholson Library at Anderson University and co-chair of the On-Campus Campaign Initiative.

The campaign will raise support for endowment and scholarships; facilities and equipment; academic and student programs; and operational needs. Major components of the campaign include $51 million for capital projects, $34 million for endowment and $25 for operational support. At the time of launch, the university announced that more than $61 million had been received in gifts and commitments. The last major campaign effort for Anderson University, with a goal of $75 million, ended in 1999 and raised $83.7 million.

Gospel music legends Bill and Gloria Gaither serve as co-chairs of the National Campaign Advisory Commission. Co-chairing the National Campaign Cabinet are Tom L. Ward, chairman of the Board of Directors and chief executive officer of SandRidge Energy, Inc.; and James B. Winner, president of Winner Advisors.

For more information about the “Dreams. Discovery. Direction.” campaign for Anderson University, visit the campaign site or contact the Anderson University Office of Development at (800) 421-1025.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2008, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the fourth consecutive year. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing and theology.

The Anderson University baseball team saw its four-game Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference winning streak snapped on Tuesday night in Terre Haute as they lost to Rose-Hulman 3-1 at Art Nehf Stadium.

The Anderson University baseball team pounded out 51 runs in two games as they defeated Defiance College 23-2 and 28-7 on Saturday in a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader at Defiance, Ohio.

The Anderson University men’s track and field team saw its streak of 13 consecutive championships come to an end as they finished second in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships on Friday and Saturday at Macholtz Stadium.

The Anderson University softball team saw its hopes of making the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference slip away on Saturday as they lost both ends of a doubleheader at Bluffton University 3-1 and 2-1.

The Anderson University men’s tennis team lost to Rose-Hulman 5-1 in the first round at the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships on Saturday in Indianapolis.

The Anderson University baseball team defeated Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference foe Defiance College 16-12 on Friday at Raven Park in the first of a three-game weekend series.

The Anderson University softball team split a pair of non-conference games against St. Francis on Thursday night at Raven Park on Senior Night. The Ravens won the first game 8-6, but lost the finale 7-3.

Anderson University’s Erin Garrity has been named the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Softball Player of the Week.