Alumni News

Record-Breaking Year See also: Alumni Chief Executive Named Homecoming 1998

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For the University of New Hampshire Foundation, 1998 was a year of records. Record reunion giving. A record seven-figure gift. A record year for overall gifts.

Private support for the University soared to a record $17.74 million this past fiscal year, more than double last year's total gifts of $7.96 million. The previous record of $16.4 million was set in 1993 1994.

For the University the Foundation serves, these gifts mean increased opportunities for students, expansion of some of UNH's finest programs, and enhancement of the University's public service.

"This remarkable outpouring of generosity is an endorsement of our students and faculty and reflects a deep understanding of the quality of the University," says Young P. Dawkins, president of the UNH Foundation. "As UNH begins to seriously look at a major capital campaign, a year like this gives us all great confidence."

The number of donors also increased to 17,124--up 8 percent over last year. More than 11,100 alumni led the way, contributing a combined total of $13.5 million. Parents of current students continue to demonstrate their belief in the value of a UNH education; more than 3,500 parents made gifts to the University above and beyond their tuition payments.

The University also received the largest gift in its history--a pledge of $10 million for the Marine Program, $3.5 million of which is included in this year's total. That gift, from Leslie Hubbard of Walpole '27, will enable the University to dramatically expand its programs in the marine sciences, according to President Joan R. Leitzel.

"Gifts like Mr. Hubbard's position the university to take full advantage of exciting new areas of research," Leitzel says. "This is the true value of private support at the university; these donations act as a catalyst to move our programs to higher and higher levels of excellence."

Hubbard also donated $2.3 million to create the Iola Hubbard Climate Change Endowment. The endowment , in honor of Hubbard's late wife, will fund studies of the effects of civilization on climate and will provide seed money to explore New England's climate and air quality.