OWU’s donations by the numbers

Highlights of OWU’s largest donations from the 2013-2014 fiscal year contributing near $27.9 million of the total amount of $30.2 million. Graphic by Ellin Youse
Highlights of OWU’s largest donations from the 2013-2014 fiscal year contributing near $27.9 million of the total amount of $30.2 million. Graphic by Ellin Youse

55 percent of donations from 2013-2014 given to university in cash

Ohio Wesleyan collected $30.2 million in the last fiscal year of fundraising.

Alumni, parents and friends of the university made that amount in new gifts and commitments between July 1 of last year and June 30, 2014.

According to Vice President for University Advancement Colleen C. Garland, the amount includes a $5 million donation from alumni John F. and Kathryn Bradford Milligan for the OWU Connection curricular initiative, which aims to track and improve the effectiveness of various academic programs on campus by tracking new metrics related to them.

$3.8 million was donated separately for the Ohio Wesleyan Fund and $465,754 for the Team OWU initiative, which support campus operations and varsity sports respectively.

A boost of about $19 million in philanthropic support went toward various building projects in progress on campus. An $8 million donation from 1958 graduate Louis A. Simpson and his wife, Kimberly K. Querrey helped the university meet the $10 million funding goal to complete renovations on Edwards Gymnasium and the former Pfeiffer Natatorium, which will become the Simpson Querrey Fitness Center when it is completed in the fall of 2015.

The final highlight includes a $1.1 million estate gift, which will be added to the insurance-funded effort to repair and upgrade Elliot Hall’s infrastructure after a frozen pipe ruptured during last year’s “polar vortex,” causing the building to close for a semester.

Another notable donation comes from an anonymous donor, giving $8 million for the renovation of Merrick Hall.

Of the total amount, $22.2 million of the donations were made in cash, making for a 55 percent increase over a three-year average of $14.2 million.

“While we celebrate every gift commitment, we are especially gratified to have been able to deliver such a substantial amount of cash to put to work right away to address some of the university’s highest priorities,” Garland said.

President Rock Jones said the generosity and vision of Ohio Wesleyan’s many donors indicate their strong commitment to the university’s educational mission, students, and faculty.