60 Seconds With Brian Sischo

Brian Sischo led the Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign, the most ambitious fundraising drive in NC State’s history. The five-year campaign, which surpassed its stated goal of $1.6 billion two years early, closed on Dec. 31, 2021, raising a total of $2,103,932,120.

What would you say to alumni about why this campaign is important to NC State?

This campaign is providing critical support that, when combined with the funding the state provides, allows us to continue to move from good to great. As the reputation of the university grows, it only enhances the value of the degree you received.

What are some important results so far?

The growth in our endowment has been a game-changer for the university, from less than $600 million to nearly $2 billion, the result of private support combined with outstanding investment performance. The increase in support for student financial aid has been huge. We’ve provided more than 1,300 additional scholarships and fellowships to students — benefiting more than 5,000 students to date. There’s the ability to support faculty, which is allowing us to recruit and retain outstanding professors and researchers. There’s the physical transformation of our campus — from Fitts-Woolard Hall to the Gregg Museum to Reynolds Coliseum. And after 100 years, the Memorial Belltower at Henry Square is complete and has real bells. You can see the results of our campaign as you drive around campus.

How have you been able to incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion into fundraising efforts

Since last year, we established over 40 new funds that have a component related to diversity, equity and inclusion — things like scholarships for underrepresented students. Some of that is because we now have a designated fundraiser in that space. We’re also leveraging the power of our alumni affinity groups, in particular the Black Alumni Society and the Latinx Alumni Network, which have raised awareness and raised funds for scholarships and programming.

What are you most proud of?

Two things. We have had an outpouring of support from over 128,000 alumni and friends, including 67,751 alumni — 29,759 of whom donated to the university for the first time. And even more important, it’s the establishment of a culture of philanthropy at NC State. We’ve shown it’s really not about the numbers, it’s about demonstrating the impact on our students, our faculty, and our entire campus.