University of the Ozarks campaign raises $73 million for students

The PC(USA)-related university topped its initial ‘Climb Higher’ goal by $18 million

by University of the Ozarks | Special to Presbyterian News Service

The entrance to University of the Ozarks, located in Clarksville, Arkansas. (Contributed photo)

CLARKSVILLE, Arkansas — University of the Ozarks announced Wednesday that it has raised more than $73 million in gifts and commitments in its seven-year Climb Higher: A Campaign for Students, shattering the campaign’s initial goal of $55 million.

The most ambitious and successful fund-raising campaign in the University’s 185-year history concludes this week. As of Wednesday, the campaign had raised a total of $73,178,976 for student scholarships, academic programs and campus facilities.

The University community is celebrating the successful close of the campaign this week with the release of a series of celebratory videos and announcements as well as events for the campus and alumni.

“This is truly a time to celebrate one of the most remarkable times in the history of this amazing University,” said U of O President Richard Dunsworth. “To be able to not only meet our goal, but to exceed it by $18 million, and amid a world-wide pandemic, is a monumental achievement that is shared by the entire Ozarks community: students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends and community members. The incredible generosity and outpouring of support from Ozarks alumni and friends around the world is indeed inspiring.”

Begun on July 1, 2014, the campaign engaged over 4,200 donors who made more than 7,200 individual gifts. The gifts ranged from $1 to nearly $28 million. More than 1,370 alumni contributed, ranging in class years from 1937 to 2021.

Supporting student success was a major emphasis of the campaign. Almost half of the money raised — $36 million — will go directly to scholarship support for students attending the liberal arts university.

“Scholarship support for our students is so vital because 100 percent of our students rely on financial aid,” Dunsworth said. “Since the campaign began, dozens of newly named scholarships have been established. This type of support has helped us keep our tuition nearly 40 percent below the national average for a private four-year college in the United States and has helped us lower the student loan debt of our graduates. This emphasis on making an Ozarks education accessible and affordable ties directly into the University’s mission.”

One of the signature projects of the campaign is the expansion and renovation of the Thomas and Frances Wilson Science Center, the largest single capital construction project in University history.

Currently under construction, the science center project includes a complete renovation of the existing 29,000-square-foot facility, which was built in 1969, as well as an 18,000-square-foot addition on the west side.  The science center is expected to be completed by January, in time for the Spring 2022 Semester.

Other major initiatives under the campaign included renovation of Munger-Wilson Memorial Chapel, construction of the new Alexander-Boreham Tennis Center, renovation of MacLean Residence Hall, establishment of the Dr. Helen McElree Faculty Enrichment Endowment for faculty development, the Julia Anne and Virginia Rose Hicks Mathematics Professorship Endowment, the Frontier Scholarship program for underserved student populations and additional student enrichment funding.

The campaign included 2,647 first-time donors to the University.

“A campaign of this magnitude is always a challenge but because of the investments by our donors and an advancement team that is equipped to match gifts where there is need, this was made possible,” said Lori McBee, the University’s vice president for advancement and alumni engagement. “Thank you to all of our alumni and friends who have supported the University of the Ozarks, and thank you to our trustees, staff and volunteers. You are making a difference that extends even beyond this campus and into the future.”