Webster University Announces $55 Million Campaign

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Sep 08, 2010, 05:40 ET

Academic Classroom Building, Science Facility and Sverdrup Renovation in St. Louis, Increased Technology and Scholarships Worldwide

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Webster University has announced Webster Works: The Campaign for Webster University, a $55 million fund-raising endeavor to benefit students in St. Louis and at the university's campuses in the United States and throughout the world.

"Webster Works: The Campaign for Webster University will transform our university," said Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble, president of Webster University. "The financial support and academic preparation that positions our exceptional students for individual excellence and global citizenship requires a comparably exceptional commitment of this community in terms of our talent, time and resources. That is why Webster Works is not only about financial needs and support. It is about bringing together the Webster community, our friends and benefactors, our faculty, and our staff who value quality education and share in the vision of the future for Webster University in the community, in the nation, and in the world."

"When people ask me why I agreed to chair Webster Works: The Campaign for Webster University, I tell them it is vitally important, not only to the future of Webster's students, but also to the future of St. Louis, our nation and our world," said Jerry E. Ritter, campaign chairman. "Webster University is fundamental to the economic life of our region. So many of our students are from St. Louis. They are educated here and they spend their lives as productive members of our community. Webster students and graduates are your co-workers, friends and neighbors. At the same time, we have 138,000 alumni across the globe who are changing the world."

Webster University has been in the quiet phase of the campaign since January, 2003. To date, the university has raised $45 million. The campaign ends December 31, 2011.

The campaign will support three key areas of strategic importance for the university.

• Webster Works in the Classroom – The need for new "best-in-class" facilities, considered essential to attract and retain talented students and faculty, will be addressed at the St. Louis campus. The campaign will enable Webster to create dynamic learning environments in today's technology-driven higher education culture. Plans call for construction of a new 95,000-square-foot academic building that will be home to the George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology. New facilities for the sciences are currently in the development stage. A complete renovation of the 66,400-square-foot Leif J. Sverdrup Building will enable Webster's School of Communications to stay at the forefront of growth and change found today in every field of communications.
•Webster Works for the Future – The campaign will provide for the immediate needs of students currently enrolled as well as future students by securing new endowed scholarships. We will also grow our endowment to attract and retain the best faculty and enhance our academic programs. Additionally, the campaign will strengthen the Community Music School of Webster University and its nationally acclaimed music education programs for students of all ages and abilities in the St. Louis area.
•Webster Works for Today – The campaign will address the current operating needs of Webster through the Annual Fund, an important component that helps underwrite the annual cost of tuition. The fund supports university-wide initiatives such as bringing guest lecturers to the campus, helping students and faculty attend professional conferences and providing annual scholarship support to students-in-need.

The university sees Webster Works: The Campaign for Webster University as an investment in the delivery of academic excellence for the university's students and faculty.

About Webster University

With its home campus in St. Louis, Webster University is committed to delivering high-quality learning experiences that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence. Founded in 1915, Webster offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs through five schools and colleges, and a global network of campuses. Its 20,000-plus student population represents almost 150 nationalities. Since opening its first overseas campus in Geneva in 1978, Webster has become a recognized leader and innovator in global education and has been recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of the top 500 colleges and universities in the U.S. The University's international presence now includes campuses in London; Vienna; Amsterdam and Leiden, the Netherlands; Shanghai, Shenzhen and Chengdu, China; and Bangkok and Cha-am, Thailand. Webster also has educational partnerships with universities in Mexico and Japan.