Stevenson University has concluded a five-year, $20 million fundraising campaign—the largest comprehensive fundraising campaign in the 63-year history of the institution. As of December 31, 2009, Inspiring Students, Building Careers: The Campaign for Stevenson University raised more than $20.3 million in support of the new Howard S. Brown School of Business and Leadership, scholarship endowments, and special programs. In addition, donors contributed more than $2.9 million to The Stevenson Fund, which supports areas of greatest need in the University’s annual operations.

“The fact that we surpassed our goal is a testament to the strength of the institution,” said Kevin J. Manning, Ph.D., President of the University. “Of course we faced challenges and watched as the recession took hold of the economy, but we were able to cultivate excitement and interest in the continued growth of the University. I thank the many donors who share our vision for Stevenson.”

The campaign received leadership gifts from The France-Merrick Foundation, Joseph Keelty, members of the Stevenson Board of Trustees, key alumni donors, and several federal and state agencies. Significant campaign milestones include:

• $7 million raised for the Brown School of Business and Leadership, whose programs now enroll one-fifth of Stevenson’s undergraduate students.
• $2.9 million for 20 new scholarship endowments to provide students with need-based financial aid. More than 90 percent of Stevenson’s students receive financial aid or scholarship support.
• $2.9 million for The Stevenson Fund, representing gifts from 3,000 donors, including alumni, students, faculty and staff, parents, friends, corporations, foundations, and government agencies.
• $7.3 million for academic and special programs, including establishing an Office of Research Development to provide seed grants for science faculty; outfitting two new nursing clinical simulation laboratories; expanding enrollment in the traditional undergraduate and RN to BS nursing programs; funding the Professional Development School partnerships coordinated by the School of Education; purchasing equipment for the Forensic Science Computer Lab and new Mock Trial Courtroom; and supporting the University’s pro bono Law Clinic, which helps underserved populations in metro-Baltimore.

 “This campaign has been a resounding success for Stevenson on so many levels,” said Kevin G. Byrnes, Chair of the University’s Board of Trustees and Campaign Co-Chair.  “We raised funds but also raised new friends. We also brought critical resources to the University that are especially needed at this time of phenomenal growth.”

“I would like to recognize the key role that our alumni have played in this campaign as well,” said Orsia Foudos Young ’79, Campaign Co-Chair, “from hosting events to making gifts to sharing the Stevenson University story with the broader community.”   

Recently ranked as one of just 77 “Top Up-and-Coming Schools” nationally by U. S. News & World Report, Stevenson is Maryland’s third largest independent university with more than 3,400 students pursuing bachelor’s, master’s, and adult accelerated degrees in the classroom and online. Founded in 1947 as Villa Julie College, the University is committed to providing a career-focused education.

Since 2006, Stevenson University has been developing a comprehensive university model which now encompasses six schools: the Brown School of Business and Leadership, the School of Education, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, the School of the Sciences, the School of Graduate and Professional Studies, and a new School of Design. Its growing Owings Mills campus opened its 11^th residence hall in fall 2009, and is expanding with a new 60,000-square-foot gymnasium to open in fall 2010. The school recently added football to its line-up of NCAA Division III sports, and is actively recruiting for its developmental season starting in the fall.