June 4, 2002

BIRMINGHAM, AL — An anonymous donor has pledged $1 million to fund undergraduate scholarships, pushing the total for the Campaign for UAB past the $300 million mark. The campaign, which runs through the end of 2003, has a goal of $350 million.

“Over the past six months we have seen a tremendous outpouring of support for projects and programs that directly benefit our students,” said Shirley Salloway Kahn, vice president for alumni, development and external relations. “This gift from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous will enable a number of students to attend UAB who may not have the means to enter a university on their own.”

In the past six months, UAB received $1.5 million from Mrs. Kay Blount Miles in support of construction of the recently dedicated Winton M. Blount, Jr., Residence Hall, as well as $1 million from AmSouth Bank to support the AmSouth Academic Scholars Program, which provides up to four students each with a $12,500 merit-based scholarship annually. Also, Dr. and Mrs. Lonnie Funderburg have provided the first substantial gift designated for the renovation of Volker Hall, the primary facility for teaching medical students.

The public phase of the UAB Comprehensive Campaign began in November 1999 with a goal of $250 million. A year after announcing the campaign, the university increased the goal $100 million because of its success. The campaign is raising funds in four categories:

• Endowed Scholarships and Fellowships — Recruiting the best and brightest students to undergraduate, graduate and professional programs is a hallmark of high quality institutions. Part of attracting these students to UAB is the availability of scholarships and fellowships. To date, $24.9 million has been raised in this category.
• Endowed Professorships and Chairs — to attract and retain the highest quality faculty. $42.4 million has been raised.
• Buildings and Equipment — Alabama is one of the few states in the nation with no established system for meeting the capital needs of its institutions of higher education. Therefore, UAB has funded more than 90 percent of its building and renovation needs through bonding and fund-raising. The campaign has raised $33.3 million for this need.
• Program Enhancement and Endowment Funds — Less than 20 percent of UAB’s annual operating budget is derived from state appropriations. Funds to support or endow scientific research, enhance instructional program, utilize innovative technologies or support other faculty initiatives are critical to UAB’s ability to maintain a leadership role in Alabama and the Southeast. To date, $203.5 million has been raised in the campaign for this purpose.

At the end of April, 41,245 donors had contributed to the Campaign for UAB. The university has received 222 gift of $100,000 or more and 50 gifts of $1 million or more.

“Everyone who has provided support for the campaign recognizes they are making an investment in the future of UAB, Birmingham and the state of Alabama,” said T. Michael Goodrich, co-chair of the campaign. “Whether it is providing support for undergraduate scholarships that will lead to future graduates and leaders for our businesses and the state, or helping to funding living and teaching facilities, people have recognized the value and importance of providing our young people with the resources necessary for a first-class education.”

“I can’t tell you how gratifying it is to see our Birmingham community demonstrate its support for UAB,” said Julian Banton, campaign co-chair. “The people of this city recognize the value that UAB brings to this city and are telling others just how important the university is to the areas economic growth.”

Kahn remarked that there still is a great deal to be done in the remaining 18 months of the campaign.

“Our students still need a recreation facility to provide them an outlet for physical activity while they are studying. Obviously, we have to step up our fundraising for Blazer Athletics. Additionally, the hospital will formally launch its portion of the campaign in September and we continue to need additional research facilities,” she said. “One of our institutional goals is for our School of Medicine to be ranked in the top 10 in funding from the National Institutes of Health by the year 2010. We will certainly need additional private funding to support that initiative, both for endowed faculty positions and research space.”

In April, UAB held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Richard C. and Annette N. Shelby Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Building, the first of several proposed buildings necessary to double the research space available on the UAB campus.

Also in April, UAB dedicated the Richard M. Scrushy Building, which houses the UAB School of Health Related Professions. The building provides space to accommodate faculty offices and laboratories from four departments within SHRP. The departments of physical therapy, occupational therapy, critical care and diagnostic and therapeutic sciences will be housed in the new building.

“We already are beginning to see the fruits of our early labors,” said Margaret Porter, campaign co-chair. “The Spencer Honors House renovation has been completed and the facility provides first-class teaching and learning spaces for the students and faculty. Also, several of the recently created endowed chairs and professorships have been filled and students are receiving scholarships from funds donated over the past three years. It truly is exciting to be able to show potential donors actual examples of how their gifts can help to move this university and its community forward.”