The private, nonprofit university aims to raise $175 million to build a stronger future through the FUTURE. MADE. comprehensive campaign.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 23, 2023 - Jacksonville University, northeast Florida's premier private university, announced the public launch of the most ambitious comprehensive fundraising initiative in its history – FUTURE. MADE. With a $175 million goal, Jacksonville University aims to create a lasting impact on future generations of students who will themselves shape a stronger future for the region and the world.
"FUTURE. MADE. represents our core identity and mission as a university: building a better future. It's who we are and what we do," said Jacksonville University President Tim Cost. "For decades, Jacksonville University has worked hard to be a force for positive change and meaningful progress in northeast Florida. We are now positioned to extend that impact on a much larger scale, for the good of all."
The goals of the FUTURE. MADE. comprehensive far exceed the $121 million raised during Jacksonville University's previous ASPIRE campaign, and the university is well on its way to achieving or exceeding that $175 million target. With $103 million raised to-date during the "quiet phase" of the campaign, Jacksonville University has already reached nearly 60 percent of its goal.
More than 500 individuals have already invested more than $10,000, while 35 donors have invested more than $1 million.
With the funds raised during FUTURE. MADE., Jacksonville University is committed to tackling some of the greatest challenges the world faces. Climate change, cybersecurity, access to quality healthcare services, the value of artistic expression in an AI world, the shortage of nurses and pilots, deadly antibiotic-resistant pathogens, the growing mental health crisis, and respectful, civil discourse that promotes a stronger democracy – these are issues Jacksonville University students and faculty are actively exploring in the search for new solutions.
The FUTURE. MADE. campaign is supported by five pillars of strategic funding priorities. Each pillar represents impactful opportunities to build a stronger future in areas such as student engagement, research, technology, applied learning, graduate studies and campus facilities.
The five FUTURE. MADE. pillars are:
Pioneering with Purpose, which focuses on the strategic expansion of programs and specialties that match the market and reflect the needs of the community;
Unwavering Exploration, a commitment to solve global issues and build stronger communities through research, applied learning, and the arts;
Reimagining Experiences, with a goal of transforming the collegiate experience with enhanced facilities, immersive technology, community engagement, and resources designed to help students thrive;
Ready to Rise, dedicated to regional expansion, the continued ascent of Jacksonville Athletics, and informing the national conversation with faculty expertise; and
Forever for the Future, which supports institutional longevity, stability and agility through unrestricted funds.
"Our University has a sense of urgency around the possibilities we see on the horizon," Cost said. "We are at a critical time when meaningful, positive change is within reach for those who are willing to think differently, are open to partnering, and not afraid of the hard work it will take.
"We offer our sincere thanks to all those who have helped create the modern JU, and our appreciation to those who will help advance our University into the future."
The FUTURE. MADE. campaign is supported by a diverse and distinguished committee of engaged alumni, donors and partners, listed below:
Preston & Joan Haskell, Honorary Campaign Chairs
Dee Brown '90, Executive Cabinet, Campaign Tri-chair
John Miller, Executive Cabinet, Campaign Tri-chair
Audrey Moran '10, Executive Cabinet, Campaign Tri-chair
Linda Berry Stein '69, Executive Cabinet
J.F. Bryan, Executive Cabinet
Stephanie Cost, Executive Cabinet
Jay Demetree, Executive Cabinet
Patty Donahoo, Executive Cabinet
Matt Kane '01, Executive Cabinet
Irene Lazzara, Executive Cabinet
Lee Nimnicht '90, Parent '27, Executive Cabinet
Charlie Wodehouse, Executive Cabinet
Elli Zimmerman, Executive Cabinet
Alex Boylan '99, Campaign Committee
Marty Chomiak '81/'84, Campaign Committee
Darren Dailey, Campaign Committee
Bart Darrell, Parent '22, Campaign Committee
Frank Frangie, Campaign Committee
Ellis Harr '16, Campaign Committee
Ari Jolly '83, Campaign Committee
Frank Mantay '88, Campaign Committee
George Robbins, Campaign Committee
Joey Sanchez '09/'10, Campaign Committee
Jamie Shelton, Campaign Committee
Shane & Janny Sims, Parents '24, Campaign Committee
David Strickland, Campaign Committee
Nina Waters '80, Campaign Committee
Learn more about FUTURE. MADE. by visiting www.ju.edu/futuremade.
About Jacksonville University
As northeast Florida's premier private institution of higher education, Jacksonville University is consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Regional Universities in the South. Founded in 1934, the University offers more than 100 majors, minors, and programs, including in-demand degrees in Nursing, Business, Law, Marine Science, Engineering, Finance, and Psychology, as well as those in the highly specialized fields of Aviation, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Film, Animation, and Healthcare Administration. With its five colleges, eleven schools and four institutes, Jacksonville University's 235-acre riverfront campus is minutes from downtown and beautiful area beaches.
Contact:
Katie Garwood
Assistant Director of Communications
Jacksonville University
kgarwoo@ju.edu
SOURCE Jacksonville University
