‘It begins at Auburn’ campaign comes to an end

By Amy Weaver

Published: March 31, 2008

The “It Begins at Auburn” capital campaign at Auburn University has officially ended.

University officials won’t divulge the exact amount raised since the largest fundraising effort in Auburn’s history began in June 2002, however the $500 million goal was reached nine months ago. Vice President of Development Bob McGinnis said much work needs to be done before a public announcement is made in June.

“In the meantime, there’s a lot of fundraising yet to be done,” he said. “We’re not slowing down in anyway.”

The third consecutive faculty-staff campaign began in March, he said. It won’t wrap-up until early May.

“That’s the only piece that isn’t over today,” McGinnis said Monday.

Participation from the faculty-staff campaign has been “impressive,” to say the least, McGinnis note. Only nine percent of faculty and staff participated three years ago, and after reaching a milestone last year with 55 percent participation, this year’s goal is 60 percent.

Although the money figure is bound to be high, he said increasing participation has been more important in this campaign. Alumni support, for instance, is higher on the Plains than compared to alumni support of other schools reported nationally. He said national numbers are declining while Auburn continues to work on new and better ways to engage more than 4,000 new alumni each year.

“It is that people love this place and they are willing to support it,” McGinnis said. “It’s also been that they give because they are asked.”

McGinnis reported that more than 600 new volunteers from Auburn’s colleges have joined the effort. It’s like having 600 more people playing on your team.

“This campaign was successful because of the work of the colleges,” he said.  McGinnis also gave credit to the late William Walker, who as provost, had the vision to start the massive campaign, seven years after the last one.

Even though the “It Begins at Auburn” campaign was historic on many levels, McGinnis said some marks were missed. There is talk that Auburn will run a mini-campaign to specifically benefit professorships on campus, which fell short of its target.

The next steps for the development office could be determined by the university’s new strategic plan. More than 60 initiatives currently exist, but are to be trimmed to 25 to 30 items before a final list is approved by the Board of Trustees later this month. The plan is meant to be give Auburn direction for the future.

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