April 3, 2007

Presbyterian College has reached a significant milestone in its quest to complete a $160 million capital campaign.

College officials have announced today that, to date, the college has raised $100 million through its "The Promise and the Challenge."

College president Dr. John Griffith hailed the effort for its lasting impact on the future of the Presbyterian College.

"One hundred million dollars has had a significant impact on this liberal arts college with a tremendous heart and a powerful mission," he said. "From student scholarships to faculty support, a new science hall to a new football stadium, the educational experience we provide our students just keeps getting better. 'Thank you" seems inadequate to express our gratitude to those alumni, parents, and friends who believe in the unique mission and vision of this college."

"The Promise and the Challenge" emerged during the early part of Griffith's nine-year presidency, when he called on a taskforce of faculty, administrators, students, alumni, and trustees to develop a strategic plan aimed at distinguishing PC as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the Southeast.

"When we began the $160 million Promise and Challenge campaign, it was the largest campaign ever undertaken by a private college in our state.  Quite honestly the goal made us blink, but we were confident of the whole-hearted commitment to the mission and vision of PC that our alumni, parents, and friends shared.  $100 million moves our program to the next level of excellence in producing alumni who will lead and serve in our global society."

Since then, the rewards of the campaign have been evident – and very visible. Nearly $30 million in "brick and mortar" funds have resulted in two new "living-learning" residents halls (Carol International House and Senior Hall), renovations to and a major expansion of the James H. Thomason Library to house the college's archives and special collections (the Russell-Arnold Archives), the new Bailey Memorial Stadium for football, and a new state-of-the-art wing to the college's Richardson Science Hall. Other building projects have included the new Patrick Center for college admissions and the new Martin Stadium for men's and women's soccer.

The college also has raised $35 million for scholarships, $8 million for six endowed faculty chairs, and has received major gifts for art, music, and a new church leadership center.

David Atchley, vice president for advancement, said there are many people to thank for their generosity and hard work who have played major roles in raising $100 million thus far.

"I am personally grateful for all of the hard work, effort, and sacrifice that has been evident from alumni and friends of the college, our advancement staff, and everyone who has contributed to the campaign -- large and small," he said. "As we approach the next phase of the campaign – refocusing and repackaging the overall campaign – I look forward to working with all of them again. We've built a lot of momentum towards our next set of priorities to advance the mission and spirit of Presbyterian College."                                                           

Bob Staton, a 1968 alumnus of the college and a former trustee, chaired "The Promise and the Challenge" campaign before joining PC's administrative staff this year as executive vice president for external relations. Setting a record campaign goal, PC faced a rigorous set of challenges many might argue were insurmountable.

Staton, on the other hand, wasn't one of those people.

"When I agreed to chair 'The Promise and the Challenge' campaign in 2002, I did so fully believing we could raise $160 million," he said. "But that remarkable goal is equally matched by the hearts of those who love PC – and that has made all the difference in the campaign's success so far. We still have $60 million to raise and a lot more work to do – but I'm very confident we will meet our goal and move forward as an elite liberal arts college."

Paula Harper Bethea, a trustee from Hilton Head Island, is the vice chair of the college's board of trustees, as well as the new chair of "The Promise and the Challenge" campaign. She, too, is enthusiastic about PC's future.

"'While we live, we serve.' What a remarkable statement to make to the world today," she said. "That is Presbyterian College's motto, that is why I am a trustee, and that is why I agreed to serve as the chairman of the Campaign as we move into the next phase.  PC graduates will lead and serve in a world that desperately needs the knowledge and passion for service they acquire as students here. It is a great honor for me to be associated with a place whose work is so uniquely needed."

Affiliated with the Presbyterian Church USA, PC has been recognized as a character-building college by the John Templeton Foundation and is classified as a national liberal arts institution with selective admissions by the Carnegie Foundation. PC also was ranked amongst the best liberal arts colleges "that get it right" by Washington Monthly.

For more information, contact Genevra Kelly, Vice President for College Relations at 864-833-8261 (gkelly@presby.edu).

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