A Special Destiny: The Campaign for St. Edward's University.

A Special Destiny: The Campaign for St. Edward's University has reached its financial goal a year ahead of schedule, but our momentum hasn't stopped. As the campaign continues through June 30, 2007, the university aims to meet two ambitious goals:

• Give more students the opportunity to
  experience a St. Edward's University education
• Gain national recognition as one of America's
  best small universities

To reach these goals, St. Edward's has defined seven strategic priorities as guideposts for the future. Since 1999, we have moved steadily toward achievement of the university's objectives, including maintaining an exceptional level of financial stewardship and attaining national recognition.

• Reach record high enrollment. In Fall 2006, the university witnessed another increase in its student population. Undergraduate enrollment rose to a new record of 3,282 — up from 3,047 in 2005. Total university enrollment now stands at 5,224 students, and the university maintains a first-year retention rate of 84.6 percent. In addition, the average SAT score for incoming freshmen is at an all-time high of 1129, demonstrating the high caliber of students who are attracted to St. Edward's.
  
  
• Recruit and retain high-quality faculty and staff. St. Edward's is maintaining a 14-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio and preserving the Holy Cross tradition of personal attention.
  
  
• Build for the future. St. Edward's is developing learning centers, facilities and scholarships to enable students to learn and grow.
  • St. Edward's University received a total of $12.5 million from the estate of John Brooks Williams — making John Brooks Williams the largest donor in the university's history. Of this, $7.5 million was given for the construction of the north building, and $5 million was given in support of the south building, slated for construction in 2010.
  • The Kozmetsky Center of Excellence in Global Finance, funded by Ronya and the late George Kozmetsky, was announced in Fall 2002. The center will be led by a faculty member who holds an endowed chair in global finance, which will support transdisciplinary scholarly activities on campus, in the community and in international forums.
  • Between 1999 and 2006, the St. Edward's University endowment has grown by more than $18 million, in part through the establishment or growth of 73 endowed student scholarships. In 2002, the university received its single largest gift from an alumnus, valued at more than $1 million, that will help provide access and opportunity to students of all economic backgrounds. Since fiscal year 2004, the university has received $1.5 million from an alumna in support of an endowed scholarship.
    
    
• Maintain strong fiscal management. For three decades, St. Edward's has operated with budget surpluses, thanks to sound fiscal management and successful fundraising. To date, the campaign has generated more than $66 million in philanthropic gifts.
  
  
• Achieve national recognition. St. Edward's University has received national attention on many levels for its academic programs, mission of service and other key benchmarks.
  • For the fourth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report has ranked
    St. Edward's among the top 25 master's-granting universities in the West — a recognition bestowed on only three other institutions in Texas.
  • St. Edward's was selected as one of 12 Council of Independent Colleges Founding Institutions for the national project Foundations of Excellence in the First College Year. Read more …
  • The national academic journal The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education named St. Edward's one of the "Top 100 Schools Graduating Hispanics" and a "Publisher's Pick" in 2003. Read more …

If you have specific questions about the campaign or other giving opportunities, please contact the University Advancement staff.