Brian Sischo led the Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign, the most ambitious fundraising drive in NC State\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What would you say to alumni about why this campaign is important to NC State?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What are some important results so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019ve provided more than 1,300 additional scholarships and fellowships to students \u2014 benefiting more than 5,000 students to date. There\u2019s the ability to support faculty, which is allowing us to recruit and retain outstanding professors and researchers. There\u2019s the physical transformation of our campus\u2009\u2014\u2009from 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How have you been able to incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion into fundraising efforts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Since last year, we established over 40 new funds that have a component related to diversity, equity and inclusion\u2009\u2014\u2009things like scholarships for underrepresented students. Some of that is because we now have a designated fundraiser in that space. We\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What are you most proud of?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Two things. We have had an outpouring of support from over 128,000 alumni and friends, including 67,751 alumni \u2014 29,759 of whom donated to the university for the first time. And even more important, it\u2019s the establishment of a culture of philanthropy at NC State. We\u2019ve shown it\u2019s really not about the numbers, it\u2019s about demonstrating the impact on our students, our faculty, and our entire campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n