The UVa School of Architecture is on pace to achieve its historic campaign goal of $25 million by the year 2011 thanks to the support of many alumni and friends, parents, faculty and students, foundations and corporate sponsors. To date, the School has received $16.5 million in gifts and future commitments in the campaign’s first half. The aim of the campaign is to raise funds and build partnerships for improved facilities, faculty and student research, and curricular innovations in an era of diminished state support.

During the first half of the campaign, begun in 2004, there were numerous new professorships, scholarships, and program additions but much of the focus was on the new additions to Campbell Hall and its landscape. Nearly $7 million in private funds has been raised thus far for the building project, scheduled to officially open with a ceremony to be held on October 25. While some naming opportunities for the additions remain available, the second half of the campaign will see a renewed focus on growing the endowment and unrestricted annual gifts to sustain excellence inside the classroom and deepen the impact of the School in the world today. “A major boost to our endowment is necessary for the School to continue to excel at the highest level with the very best faculty and students while ongoing discretionary funds from annual gifts will allow us to meet urgent needs and support innovative ideas,” said Warren Buford, the executive director of the UVa School of Architecture Foundation, the School’s development and alumni relations arm.

Fiscal year 2008 was particularly noteworthy with a record $3.2 million achieved in gifts and future commitments to the School. In addition to representing an increase in major and planned gifts, the total reflects a small increase in unrestricted giving which provides for the areas of greatest need at the School and the Foundation, such as annual scholarships and fellowships, study abroad programs, student publications, public lectures and many other programs critical to the School’s continuing excellence. Unrestricted gifts also support alumni activities, marketing and the general advancement of the School.

The UVa School of Architecture Foundation was formed under the leadership of Dean Karen Van Lengen with her Advisory Board in 2004 as an independent non-profit organization. “We created the Foundation to support the mission of the School of Architecture and to find new and diverse opportunities to expand the influence of the school in the public realm” said Dean Van Lengen.

Although still young, the Foundation quickly organized an impressive board of trustees, currently lead by alumnus Stuart Siegel ’78, and including faculty emeriti Reuben Rainey and Mario di Valmarana. The Foundation board works alongside the Dean’s advisory board, currently lead by alumnus Paul Weinschenk ’87 which complements the Foundation board by working to increase the visibility of the School, engage more alumni and connect the School with the architectural and planning profession in key regions across the country. Each board is comprised of alumni, friends, professionals and faculty representatives.

The Foundation staff has seen some recent additions with Warren Buford’s arrival in May of this year as successor to Susan Ketron in the role of executive director and Kimberly Wong, assistant director for operations and alumni relations. Donna Rose, office manager, and Angie Fellers, associate director of individual giving, continue in their positions.

As the Foundation looks toward fulfilling the totality of the campaign’s goals, the second half holds challenges that they are prepared to meet with the entire School of Architecture community’s participation. “Together with our alumni and friends we are poised to continue with strong momentum through this next critical phase of the campaign and beyond to ensure the School’s role in designing the future for us all,” said Buford.