One Year Left and Still Climbing | News | Bemidji State University

Dave Sorensen, chair of the Imagine Tomorrow Campaign Steering Committee (far left), visits with Dr. Stephen Vogt ‘85 and Dr. Colleen Greer, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, on April 9 at the Bemidji home of BSU Foundation Chief Development Officer Dr. Jonathan Yordy and his wife, Jean.

Trevor Beniak, a 2015 graduate in exhibit design, spoke at the April 23 Lakeside Luncheon about being hired by a Boston-area design firm.

Mike Roberge, left, president of MFS Investment Management and chair of the Imagine Tomorrow National Campaign Committee, meets with President Richard Hanson in Roberge’s Boston office on April 10.

By Scott Faust

The Imagine Tomorrow fundraising campaign, a historic first for Bemidji State University, heads into its fifth and final year this summer with a $35 million target close at hand.

Achieving the goal established when the comprehensive campaign launched in July 2011 still depends on participation by many more BSU alumni and friends. Progress-to-date will be celebrated during the Honors Gala in Bemidji on Oct. 2.

“We’re optimistic, but we want to reach out for even more people to help us get over the top,” said Rob Bollinger, executive director for University Advancement. “We want everyone with an interest and passion for BSU to know they had a part in this successful effort.”

The work ahead involves connecting with as many individuals as possible and following up with prospective donors who have expressed an interest in making a gift or pledge.

Those objectives were high on the agenda at the 2015 Lakeside Luncheon, held April 23 at Bemidji’s Sanford Center. During his “State of the University” address, President Richard Hanson reminded donors to the Lakeside Annual Fund and other community and business leaders of what is at stake for students.

“The Imagine Tomorrow campaign has already allowed us to nearly double scholarships funded through the BSU Foundation, from about $700,000 in fiscal year 2011 to almost $1.3 million this year,” Hanson said. “We expect to almost double that again before we’re through.”

In recent months, alumni and foundation staff and campaign volunteers met with BSU alumni and friends at several “Fun in the Sun” events in Arizona; faculty and staff were reminded of the opportunity to join the effort; and Hanson and Bollinger traveled to Boston to meet with National Campaign Committee Chair Mike Roberge and other alumni around the northeast.

One important measure of the campaign’s success will be how funds are balanced among three major priority areas. As of April 14, gifts and pledges totaled $32.8 million. Of that, $16.5 million is designated for scholarships, compared to a target of $20 million. Another $4.2 million is designated for support of academic excellence, compared to a target of $8 million, and funds designated for annual support total $7.9 million, above an initial target of $7 million.

The remaining $4 million that has yet to be designated by donors, as well as gifts and pledges still to come, will determine whether the campaign is able to address all priority areas as envisioned.

Those designations can be narrow, such as a particular academic program, or more general, such as scholarships directed to financially challenged or first-generation students. Also, multi-year contributions made in the coming year will count toward the campaign, even though they will continue after it concludes.

An example of targeted giving is the array of naming opportunities within the nearly completed renovation of Memorial Hall. Those range from $500,000 for naming of the historic entrance lobby to $10,000 for each of two faculty resource rooms. Funds for naming will go to support the College of Business, Technology and Communication, which will be located in the showcase building.

Whatever the near-term outcome for Imagine Tomorrow, the mission of ensuring a bright future for Bemidji State students and for the university will need ongoing support, said Dave Sorensen ’72, chair of the Imagine Tomorrow Steering Committee.

“We desperately need more dollars for scholarships – and all kinds of opportunities – to continue moving forward,” Sorensen said. “We’re proud that we’ve come this far, but the work is definitely not done, nor will it ever really be.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn how you can make a gift or a pledge to the Imagine Tomorrow campaign, contact the BSU Foundation at (218) 755-2762 or foundation@bemidjistate.edu, or visit bsuimaginetomorrow.org.