MEADVILLE, Pa. — October 18, 2002 — Allegheny College President Richard J. Cook today announced the launch of its record-setting $105 million, seven-year capital campaign.

The campaign, Tradition and Transformation: Making a Difference, will build upon Allegheny’s traditions and strengths with one overarching goal: to transform Allegheny College to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

“To succeed in carrying out our mission and to thrive in this century, an Allegheny education must not only be distinctive, desirable, and widely known, it must also be affordable. And in many ways, achieving desirability and affordability depend critically on the same thing—adequate resources.” Allegheny College President Richard Cook said.

“Both in institutional image and reputation and in the actual quality of the experience we are able to offer, it is vital that we increase the resource base of Allegheny. That is why we are announcing the public phase of our comprehensive fund-raising campaign this week—it is absolutely vital to our future.”

The funds raised will support six specific objectives, which support College’s new strategic plan, Tradition and Transformation: Allegheny College 2010.

• $20 million for student support, including additional support for internship and off-campus study programs, as well as increased scholarship funds to keep Allegheny attractive and affordable for all qualified students.

• $15 million for faculty support, including endowed professorships, competitive salaries, and enhanced opportunities for the kind of professional development that will keep our faculty at the forefront of their disciplines.

• $10 million in support of academic programs such as the College’s new Center for Political Participation, which engages students in the political process through coursework, and other experiential learning programs.

• $11 million in support of the residential college, including funds to expand residential space and student life programs such as fitness and intramural sports activities, residential learning opportunities, and leadership initiatives.

• $34 million for the restoration and preservation of our historic buildings and grounds, including restoration of Cochran Hall to its former elegance and the creation of an alumni center there, as well as the addition of new facilities such as a theater and communication arts building, and for “smart classrooms” equipped with the latest technology to support student needs.

• $15 million in unrestricted support for the Annual Fund, which provides money where it is needed most, primarily in supporting students, whether that is purchasing materials for the library, equipment for labs, and new software for computers or for funding student projects, intramural athletics, or even internships or scholarships.

As Cook announced Allegheny’s ambitious and unprecedented fund raising goal, he proudly shared another remarkable number. During the first 3 years, of the campaign—the campaign’s “quiet phase”—Allegheny College has already received commitments of $66 million.

Many early contributions to the campaign came in generous proportions such as the $22 million gift from Dr. Vukovich and Mrs. Laura J. DiMichele-Vukovich of Holmdel, N.J., the largest in the College’s 187-year history, which was announced last year, and the $5 million donation from Patricia Bush Tippie and Henry Tippie, to completely renovate Cochran Hall for a new alumni center. In addition to the many other gifts from alumni, trustees, and friends, more than 74% of Allegheny’s faculty and staff have made gifts to the campaign.

With the announcement of the capital campaign, Allegheny College also launched a Web site at www.allegheny.edu/campaign to keep alumni and friends informed as the campaign moves forward. The site provides information about campaign objectives, news announcements, personal stories about some of the donors, and details about what the College is doing with the funds raised.

Established in 1815, Allegheny College is a nationally recognized, selective college of the liberal arts and sciences in northwestern Pennsylvania. In the recent National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), Allegheny was ranked in the top 10% in “level of academic challenge.”

The College offers programs for Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in 30 majors, as well as pre-professional programs in medicine, dentistry, law, and veterinary science. It also offers dual degree programs in allied health, engineering, and nursing.

Allegheny College ranks in the top 7% of liberal arts colleges in the number of graduates who go on to earn Ph.D.s and in the top 4% of schools in the production of business leaders.