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Now under construction, SPU's new science building is scheduled to open in Autumn Quarter 2003.

Four initiatives make up the $52.85 million Campaign for Seattle Pacific University. Each initiative supports The Comprehensive Plan for the 21st Century approved by the Board of Trustees in autumn 1998. “We are focusing on the specific areas that most impact our ability to fulfill our vision,” explains President Philip Eaton.

Participation in the Campaign is strong, and volunteer task force teams comprised of alumni, community leaders and trustees are spearheading the initiatives. Prior to the public kick-off of the Campaign in October, $31.3 million in gifts had already been given or pledged by individuals, corporations and foundations.

“If SPU is to solidify its place as a premier Christian university,” says Eaton, “then we must produce cutting-edge scholarship that has integrity and is relevant to our world. By investing in the Science Initiative and the Center for Scholarship and Faculty Development Initiative, donors will make that possible. And gifts to the Endowment Initiative and the University Fund Initiative will ensure Seattle Pacific’s financial stability on an annual basis and into the future.”

THE SCIENCE INITIATIVE CAMPAIGN
GOAL: $8 MILLION
With the right resources, Seattle Pacific is in a prime position to engage the culture through the sciences. That was the conclusion of SPU leaders as they prepared The Comprehensive Plan for the 21st Century, which called for the construction of a new science facility, the renovation of the current Miller Science Learning Center, and a new level of investment in the science faculty and curriculum on campus.

“We are in an intellectual and social revolution driven by rapid advances in science and technology,” says Vice President for University Advancement Bob McIntosh, who along with President Eaton is heading fund-raising efforts for the Science Initiative. “Seattle Pacific is responding to the need for scientists and science educators who have integrated their education and Christian worldview, and who can provide the kind of ethical leadership modern science demands.”

The aim of the Science Initiative is three-fold: to educate all SPU students to become scientifically literate citizens; to educate students for careers in science, medicine and engineering; and to educate students to become influential science teachers.

A new 63,000-square-foot science building, largely funded by tax-exempt municipal bonds, is already under construction. The facility will maximize student-professor interaction and provide space for substantially increased student research in a cross-section of interrelated disciplines — including the important growth areas of molecular biology and biotechnology. The $8 million to be raised in the Campaign will fund faculty positions, lab equipment, program enhancements and ongoing building maintenance.

With its new science resources, SPU will be able to attract more scientifically gifted students than ever before, says Professor of Biology Bruce Congdon. “It’s an exciting opportunity. I want to see our graduates take the lead in scientific growth and discovery.”

For more information about the Science Initiative, contact Bob McIntosh at 206/281-2100 or robertmc@spu.edu.



THE CENTER FOR SCHOLARSHIP AND FACULTY DEVELOPMENT
INITIATIVE CAMPAIGN
GOAL: $11 MILLION
The mission of Seattle Pacific’s new Center for Scholarship and Faculty Development is to encourage the finest Christian thinkers to engage the culture through scholarship.

One way the Center seeks to do this is by sponsoring lectures, conferences and seminars featuring visiting scholars. “What got me excited was when I first heard Phil Eaton talk about bringing world-class scholars to campus,” says Chi-Dooh “Skip” Li ’66, attorney and volunteer task force leader for the initiative. “These will be some of the most readily recognizable names in science, economics, theology, political science, history and other areas.”

Yale Law School Professor Stephen Carter is characteristic of the caliber of Christian scholar sought by Seattle Pacific as part of this effort. Carter’s visit for the SPU Day of Common Learning in October marked the official launch of the Center.

Among the other Center activities will be faculty development programs, academic grant-writing assistance, support for students pursuing opportunities such as Rhodes and Fulbright scholarships, and efforts to share the fruits of faculty and student scholarship with the church and community. “We hope the Center will have a very positive impact on the intellectual and spiritual life of faculty, staff and students,” says Center Director Susan VanZanten Gallagher. “It will also contribute to the greater community and the world by supporting scholarship that is thoughtfully Christian and engages the issues of the day.”

Li agrees. “What better way to engage the culture? We can raise up scholars who have an absolute commitment to Christ and a Christian worldview. The success of this initiative will increase SPU’s level of scholarship and visibility as never before.”



THE ENDOWMENT INITIATIVE CAMPAIGN
GOAL: $21 MILLION
A strong endowment will open many doors for Seattle Pacific, concludes The Comprehensive Plan for the 21st Century. It will offer stability in fluctuating economic conditions and flexibility to take advantage of new opportunities. It will also free precious operational dollars so that they can be directed to student financial aid.“

The endowment ensures SPU’s health during tough financial times,” states Kathi Teel ’65, co-leader of the Endowment Initiative task force. “With an adequate endowment, SPU can move forward with confidence to achieve its goals.”

She is joined in the endowment-building effort by co-chair Roger Winter, a University of Washington graduate who says he is “very partial to SPU” and admires “the quality and Christlike focus of its graduates.” He used a percentage of the sale of his successful computer supply company to establish a Seattle Pacific scholarship endowment of his own.“

There seems to be help for the very poor and even the wealthy to get an education,” says Winter. “Rising tuition is often toughest on the middle class students. I want to help SPU reach this core group of students.” With more than $24 million in endowment and $53 million in funds under management by the SPU Foundation, the University is aiming to reach $50 million in endowment by 2008. Teel is working primarily with alumni families who want to establish a family legacy or add to the more than 200 endowments that currently support Seattle Pacific. Winter is focusing his work on corporations, foundations and donors who have had no direct experience with SPU but who share its values.

For more information about the Endowment Initiative, contact Gene Keene at 206/281-2996 or gkeene@spu.edu.

THE UNIVERSITY FUND INITIATIVE CAMPAIGN
GOAL : $12.85 MILLION
Raising ongoing operational support for the University is a constant pressure that is heightened during a campaign. These “annual funds” are critical to maintain the quality of education for current students at the same time money is being raised for future improvements, says Robert Wallace ’69, CEO of Wallace Properties Group a nd volunteer t ask force leader for the University Fund Initiative. “One of the key uses of these undesignated funds is to underwrite the tuition cost students can’t earn on their own,” he says. “It’s not possible for kids to work enough to put themselves through school at today’s tuition costs.”

Money from The University Fund is also allocated for financial aid and to provide institutional grants and scholarships for high-achieving students. Funds go toward faculty salaries, academic programs, professional development and other operational expenses.

Wallace and his volunteer committee are involved in a major effort to increase the number of donors giving to The University Fund on an annual basis, and to urge those who have given steadily to consider an increase in their giving.

“We can’t achieve the Seattle Pacific mission without The University Fund,” states Wallace. “The success of this initiative is fundamental to the mission and survival of the school. We must help students get the education that SPU is famous for providing.”

Seattle Pacific currently raises approximately $1.2 million each year for the undesignated University Fund. The goal is to increase that amount incrementally over the life of the Campaign to $2 million annually — and keep it there. “As we strengthen the quality of programs and services, and offer significant aid to students, The University Fund has to grow accordingly,” says Director of Development Robert Gunsalus. “It’s the lifeblood of the University.”

For more information about the University Fund Initiative, contact Dean Carrell at 206/281-2083 or carrell@spu.edu.

THE CHAPEL/ARTS INITIATIVE SLATED FOR THE NEXT PHASE OF THE CAMPAIGN Seattle Pacific currently has no facility, other than the gymnasium, large enough for students, faculty and staff to meet together as one group. Similarly, SPU’s choral and instrumental groups don’t have a facility in which to perform before larger audiences. The Comprehensive Plan for the 21st Century calls for the construction of a chapel/performance hall that would seat 1,800 for campus worship services and concerts. Planners agree that it would also meet a citywide need for a quality performing arts center of this size. The facility will be the centerpiece of the next phase of The Campaign for Seattle Pacific University. “This will be a highly sophisticated hall with the best in acoustical engineering,” says resident Philip Eaton. “Because it will be used for worship as well, we must raise every penny of its cost without looking to bond financing.” Adds Les Steele, vice president for academic affairs, “The chapel and performance hall is destined to become one of the landmarks of this campus for its striking design and enduring symbolism.” Designs are already underway for a chapel/performance hall on the SPU campus. Another portion of the Chapel/Arts Initiative is the construction of a building to house SPU’s academic programs in music, drama and art. While fund raising for the entire initiative is not scheduled to begin for four years, Vice President for University Advancement Bob McIntosh says two families have approached the University about launching the fund-raising efforts sooner.