Fresno State to begin huge fundraising campaign

By Martha Martinez

Mary Anna Dunn, one of the nation’s most recognized campaign strategists, will join Fresno State in an attempt to increase private funding. Fresno State plans to pursue a comprehensive campaign that will benefit the overall excellence of the university.

Dunn raised more than $1 billion for the University of Colorado campus systems.

Assistant Vice President of University Relations Mark Aydelotte said Dunn will bring national experience in raising money and in coordinating the kind of campaign Fresno State will undergo.

“ We [the university] have hired one of the best people in the United States to help us do this,” Aydelotte said, “she wouldn’t be interested if she didn’t think we could.”

Fresno State relies on private funding and grants in order to to accomplish the goals set by the university.

The campaign is being supported solely by the university foundation, not the state budget. The University Foundation will support Dunn’s salary, as well as incoming hires for the campaign. According to Aydelotte the Foundation is investing in the new hires and the staff will “pay for themselves times 50.”

Aydelotte said the university would be able to operate on state funding which is approximately 70 percent of the university funds. However in order to become a recognizable university, private funding is needed. “We will not be mediocre university, we want to be an excellent one,” he said.

Private funding has brought Fresno State the Downing Planetarium, the Science Museum, the Smittcamp Family Honors College and the Sid Craig School of Business.

A comprehensive campaign, however, is not a capitol one and will not focus on high-profile buildings. The campaign will strive for the overall academic excellence of the university, Aydelotte said.

The faculty will set the goals for the campaign and decide how and where the money will be targeted.

The faculty could benefit from endowed chairs, fellowships, research assistance and support staff, he said. Students could possibly benefit from scholarships, mentoring and internships.

The campaign will take approximately seven years to complete and is still in the initial planning phase.

“ When people come to Fresno State we want them to know this is one of the finest institutions they can attend in the state,” Aydelotte said.