WKU’s capital campaign nears $200 million mark

Tessa Duvall

WKU is less than $15 million away from reaching its $200 million goal for an ongoing capital campaign.

At Friday’s Board of Regents meeting, Kathryn Costello, vice president for Development and Alumni Relations, announced that the university has raised $185.3 million as a part of the A New Century of Spirit campaign.

This puts the campaign — which began in 2005 — about $7 million ahead of schedule with less than a year to go.

“We will go over that $200 million goal,” Costello said.

According to agenda materials provided at Friday’s meeting, about 28,000 gifts were made by about 17,000 donors. Of those donors, 2,340 were members of the President’s Circle, meaning they gave more than $1,000. This was a slight increase from last year.

There was also a 12 percent increase in gifts from faculty and staff.

President Gary Ransdell called this a significant increase and said it shows the level of support than university employees have for WKU’s mission.

Costello said she hopes to unveil a plan in October that will further engage faculty and staff.