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Albright College Reaches $55 Million Campaign Goal, Presses Forward

Feb 21, 2017 • by Albright College

Reading, Pa. – A substantial gift by Albright College’s Board of Trustees in honor of President Lex O. McMillan III and his wife, Dottie, has pushed the College past the $55 million goal it set for the most ambitious campaign in its history.

That Their Light May Shine: The Campaign for Albright College reached the milestone in January, four months before the campaign’s conclusion. The College’s trustees surprised Dr. and Mrs. McMillan with their announcement at the board’s meeting in early February.

“I am delighted to have reached our campaign goal,” President McMillan said. “The extraordinary dedication and generosity of thousands of Albright College alumni and friends, led by our esteemed trustees, will benefit students and faculty members for generations to come.”

Believed to be the most successful fundraising campaign in Berks County history, That Their Light May Shine will conclude at the end of May. McMillan previously announced that he would retire at the same time. College officials pledged to continue aggressively raising funds in the months remaining.

The campaign has three overarching priorities: capital projects, the endowment and The Fund for Albright, the College’s annual fund.

Capital funds raised from the campaign thus far have enabled the College to construct a state-of-the-art academic building, John K. Roessner III ’61 Hall: The Center for Business and Civic Leadership; to launch men’s and women’s intercollegiate lacrosse programs and build a practice field for them; and to begin work on Founders Walk, a graceful, winding walkway connecting the campus’s northern and southern edges. The campaign’s most significant capital project, the complete overhaul, modernization and expansion of the College Library, is well into the fundraising stage.

The trustees’ collective gift of nearly $1.09 million in the McMillans’ honor, which moved the campaign total to $55.9 million, will be used to help fund the other remaining capital project – the construction of a new multi-sport athletics facility along North 13th Street.

Contributions to the endowment have strengthened the College’s financial aid capacity, increased its ability to recruit, retain and support a talented, well-credentialed faculty, and supported and expanded important student programs, including the prestigious Albright Creative Research Experience (ACRE) and study abroad.

Yearly gifts to The Fund for Albright have helped the College to meet critical operational needs, including equipment, software, library resources and financial aid. With tuition revenue covering only about two-thirds the cost of an Albright education, The Fund helps to bridge the gap and plays a vital role in keeping the College affordable.

“The Board of Trustees was happy to honor Lex and Dottie in this way,” said Albright trustee Chris Kraras ’69, chair of the board of trustees’ campaign executive committee. “Lex has been a visionary leader for the College and has helped to rekindle a sense of pride among Albright alumni. Dottie has been his partner and tireless advocate for strengthening the College.

“On behalf of the board and the Campaign Executive Committee, I thank Lex and Dottie for everything they have done for Albright, and all who have given to the campaign for their incredible support.”

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