The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s largest capital
campaign in history went beyond anyone’s expectations, solidifying
the growing campus as an academic and cultural jewel in
northwestern Pennsylvania.

“The time to celebrate our victory is now,” University President
Dr. Livingston Alexander told those assembled Monday in the
Bromeley Family Theater at Blaisdell Hall to celebrate the
university surpassing its $13 million capital campaign goal and
laud those who helped reach it. “When good, committed people join
forces to advance the common cause there is no limit to what we can
do together.

“For a campus of this size to reach this goal is amazing.”

Going over the $13 million mark by $178,726, the Complete the
Campus Campaign helped to create new scholarships, provide support
for academic programs, enhance technology, erect new buildings and
renovate and expand existing ones.

All told, 3,432 people made contributions to the campaign, which
officially ended Dec. 31, 2005.

“Your support has transformed this institution,” Alexander
said.

The journey to Monday’s celebration wasn’t always easy, however,
according to Alexander.

During the campaign – which began with a silent phase in 1999 –
those spearheading the drive had to deal with an unstable economy
in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the
retirement of former president and current president emeritus Dr.
Richard McDowell two years ago – a process that kicked off two
president searches.

“To say we’ve made major strides (during the campaign) is an
understatement,” Alexander said.

To illustrate those strides, Alexander said the university had
$203,109 available for academic scholarships at the start of the
campaign; now it has $322,965 at its disposal. Meanwhile, there
were 24 buildings on campus at the beginning of the campaign; now
there are 29 – two of which were renovated and expanded.

Officials also said $3 million of the campaign was used to
create 55 new scholarships, while another $6 million in funds came
from contributors who wanted the university to use the money as
needed.

“The people of this community really value this campus,” Dr.
James Maher, provost of the University of Pittsburgh, said. “The
most beautiful example of that is the success of this
campaign.”

However, the latest phase in the physical growth of the campus
won’t be complete without one last piece of the puzzle – a chapel,
according to campaign chairman Howard Fesenmyer.

“There still is one more plateau for me to reach,” Fesenmyer
said. “My ultimate desire is to build a chapel. This is what I’m
going to work on in the next few years.”

Fesenmyer, along with Greg Booth, campaign vice chairman,
received special presentations from the university – Fesenmyer a
wooden chair with black spindles with the emblem of the university
emblazoned on the back and Booth a gift basket – for their efforts.
Meanwhile, Karen Niemic Buchheit, director of institutional
advancement and assistant to the president, received a bouquet of
flowers for her part in helping with the campaign.

“We knew we were aiming high with this $13 million goal,”
Fesenmyer said to the volunteers and donors. “But with you we aimed
high and hit the target.”

That thought was echoed by Alexander, who said “Our volunteers
help us to move beyond the present and into the future. As they
say, Noah’s Ark was built by volunteers, the Titanic was built by
professionals.”

For her part, associate professor Betsy Matz, the chair of the
business management department, said an average of 50 percent of
the university’s staff contributed to the internal campaign. Matz
said many colleges only range between 20 and 30 percent from their
staffs.

“That is a strong indication of the support this staff has (for
Pitt-Bradford),” Matz said. “I’ve never worked in a place where so
many people are so committed to changing lives for the better.”

In his speech, McDowell said the campaign will help thousands of
future students get a quality education, also recognizing Zippo
Manufacturing Co., KOA Speer Electronics Inc., and the Rice and
Blaisdell families for their numerous contributions to the
university over the years.

“Each one of us here has made a tremendous contribution to this
college,” McDowell said. “The best economic strategy this region
can have is this campus.”

Prior to the speeches and presentations – which also featured a
video montage of campaign highlights – participants were able to
dine on a lavish spread of shrimp cocktail and finger foods in the
lobby outside the theater.