Radford University donors were greeted with festive banners and an elegantly lighted venue at the Hurlburt Student Center Saturday night as they celebrated the RU Foundation’s successful Building a Legacy campaign.

Donors from every constituency were among those who helped mark the end of a capital campaign in which the university surpassed its original goal by several million dollars with an attainment of $44.3 million. The gala was highlighted by a live band, special food stations, dancing and a spectacular fireworks show at the end of the night.

The Building a Legacy campaign, which began five years ago and ended December 31, was RU’s second major fundraising campaign. Together, the two campaigns raised $71 million to support important programs and initiatives at the university in just 10 years.

"The success of our second capital campaign is a tribute to your generosity and to your conviction," said Mary Ann Hovis, rector of the RU Board of Visitors. "I've talked with so many people over the course of the campaign who, despite the many demands on time and resources that we all face, were determined they could and would play a role in seeing the campaign succeed."

Alumni, parents, faculty, staff, businesses and foundations provided gifts and commitments at an unprecedented level throughout the five-year mission.

"In addition to meeting current needs by supporting various academic programs, improving facilities and increasing scholarships,” President Penelope W. Kyle said,  “the campaign already has served as a catalyst for securing resources to support ambitious plans for future growth and development.”

As a result of Building a Legacy, The RU Foundation received more than $6 million to fund new and existing scholarships. Benefactors created 75 new scholarship and fellowship endowments to increase educational opportunities for RU's talented undergraduate and graduate students.

Kyle, who was one of the night’s speakers, talked about the successes of the campaign and thanked the patrons. Kyle also introduced Courtney Lerch, a Presidential Scholar, who talked about why she chose RU.

The campaign has provided new facilities, venues and campus improvements, enhancing the learning and living experiences at RU. More than $2 million was raised to supplement construction costs of the Bonnie Hurlburt Student Center, which opened in September.

One of the campaign’s transformational gifts is 78 acres of land adjacent to the New River in Pulaski County, which was donated by Carilion Health System. “President Kyle has made the strategic development of this gift the cornerstone of the University’s six-year plan, said David DeHart, president of the RU Foundation.  “It is my firm belief that this tremendous asset under her guidance will transform not only Radford University but the entire area,” he added.

In addition, gifts have made possible athletic facility improvements and the construction of a living history museum and farmhouse on the university's 380-acre Selu Conservancy.

"Legacies take time, energy and vision to build," Hovis said Saturday. "Our approach from the beginning of this campaign was to expand involvement, generate more stakeholders and broaden the impact that Radford University delivers. We have, without question, met those objectives."

The RU Foundation’s total assets increased 79 percent from $26.5 million to $47.5 million from 2000-2005.

“This campaign exceeded our highest expectations,” said Charles Wood, vice president for university advancement. “Alumni, faculty, staff and friends of RU have been tremendously generous in their support of the university and the impact of that generosity will be felt far into the future.”

Building a Legacy Campaign Highlights:

• Scholarships: New funds and commitments for scholarship endowments and support for existing scholarships surpassed $9 million.
• Campus expansion and facilities: The campaign raised $1.6 million for the construction of the Bonnie Hurlburt Student Center, which was named for a former dean of students and dedicated supporter of RU.  In addition, Carilion Health System donated property in Pulaski County valued at more than $8 million.
• Athletics:  A million-dollar gift finalized completion of the Patrick D. Cupp Memorial Stadium, which was dedicated in 2003 when it opened for track and field and soccer competition.
• Outreach: Multiple private grants and gifts supported purchase and operation of a 36-foot mobile health clinic that visits localities throughout Southwest Virginia, supplying much-needed health care services to the medically underserved.