The University of Rochester is reporting that the "Meliora Challenge" campaign has surpassed its initial $1.2 billion goal. And that happened more than 15 months ahead of schedule.
That level was achieved in part to an $11 million commitment from Robert and Pamela Goergen to the University's Institute for Data Science. U of R President Joel Seligman made the announcement at a Board of Trustees leadership retreat off the Florida coast.
“When we publicly launched The Meliora Challenge campaign, I said that together we would make history. Now, fewer than four years later, I am delighted that we have achieved our initial goal,” said Seligman. “We still have far to go. Great university campaigns typically exceed their initial goals by 10 to 20 percent. Over the next 15 months, we have the opportunity to build on our momentum and take our University to the next level.
Among the priorities in the campaign is funding scholarships and fellowships. The money raised has also been used toward several new facilities including funding for the new Golisano Children's Hospital and projects involving media arts and innovation and the Warner School of Education.
Fundraising efforts will continue in the Meliora Challenge until it concludes in June of 2016.
