$103.4 Million: Washington College Completes Largest Capital Campaign Of Any Undergraduate College In Maryland

Campaign's Success Highlights Accomplishments of Dr. John Toll's Tenure as President

Chestertown, MD, January 8, 2004 — Washington College's Board of Visitors and Governors announced today the conclusion of the largest capital campaign in the College's 222-year history—and the single largest fund raising campaign ever conducted by any Maryland undergraduate college. With an original campaign goal of $72 million announced in 1998, the Campaign for Washington's College surpassed its original target by nearly 44 percent, with total contributions of $103.4 million as of December 31, 2003. Among all Maryland institutions of higher learning, only Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland System have raised more money in a single capital campaign. Washington College enrolls 1,450 students from 35 states and 36 countries.

“On behalf of the entire Washington College community, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the success of this campaign,” said Jay Griswold, Chair of the College's Board of Visitors and Governors and Director of Brown Investment Advisory and Trust Company of Baltimore. “Despite the economic downturn of the past few years and the challenges of these uncertain times, we have seen an amazing amount of generosity by our alumni, by foundations, and by individuals who believe deeply and passionately in the distinctive education that Washington College provides.”

Campaign support came from numerous alumni who collectively contributed more than $11 million, as well as 15 donors who gave $1 million or more, 105 contributors of $100,000 or more, $5 million from The Starr Foundation of New York, and the constant support of The Hodson Trust, which provided various grants and a pledge to match all contributions to the endowment of $100,000 or more. Drawing grants from many corporations and foundations in the Mid-Atlantic region, the campaign was also supported by distinguished national foundations, including The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The W. K. Kellogg Foundation, and The Henry Luce Foundation.

“The breadth of support for Washington College was outstanding, and the number of national sources who contributed to our campaign is a real compliment to our institution,” Griswold added.

“The founding of Washington College in 1782 as the first college chartered after the Declaration of Independence was an act of courageous optimism for a nation whose destiny was still uncertain,” said John S. Toll, President of the College. “What we have witnessed through our campaign is that same vision. Our founders William Smith and George Washington, with the help of many supporters, launched Washington College because they believed fervently that education was the bulwark on which freedom, opportunity and justice must rest if they are to be perpetuated. Today's benefactors, like our founders, are bold optimists whose generosity will go a long way to help us lift Washington College to new levels of distinction and service.”

The campaign's successful conclusion represents one of the highlights of Dr. Toll's nine-year tenure as president. The former chancellor and president of the University of Maryland System and professor of physics, Dr. Toll arrived at Washington College in January 1995 and will step down as president at the conclusion of this academic year.

Funds raised by the Campaign for Washington's College are supporting a range of initiatives as part of the College's strategic plan, including new faculty chairs and professorships, technology enhancements, two new academic research and outreach centers—the Center for Environment and Society and the C. V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience—and new and expanded academic programs in archaeology, Asian studies, computer science, and earth and planetary science. In addition, the Campaign is helping to improve and expand campus infrastructure: Louis L. Goldstein Hall was dedicated in 2000 and a new 45,000-square-foot Science Center is slated for completion in Fall 2004. Many other facilities, including William Smith Hall, were renovated.

Founded in 1782 under the patronage of George Washington, Washington College is a private, independent college of liberal arts and sciences located in historic Chestertown on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

Milestone: $80 Million And Climbing, Washington College Campaign Surpasses Fundraising Goals

Chestertown, MD, April 30, 2002 — Washington College's capital campaign has surpassed its original five-year $72 million goal and reached nearly $80 million. With almost two years left in the Campaign for Washington's College, the College intends to push on to its planned December 2003 completion, raising as much as possible prior to that date.

"With just two months remaining in the fiscal year, the College has surpassed funds raised last year for all purposes by $4 million, giving us confidence that the momentum of the Campaign will continue to produce record funding levels," said Jack Griswold, Chairman of the College's Board of Visitors and Governors and Chair of the Campaign. "Exceeding all expectations, even in uncertain financial times, the Campaign is enriching academic programs, strengthening the faculty, providing scholarships, and enhancing campus facilities."

Recent major gifts include a grant of $2.5 million from the State of Maryland for a new science building; a $2.4 million distribution from The Hodson Trust and $100,000 from the Clark Charitable Foundation, both for scholarships; and $525,237 from the estate of College alumnus, the late W. Kennon Perrin '31. This final distribution brings Colonel Perrin's total bequest to $5 million. Within the last month, the College also received $200,000 from Willard Hackerman of Whiting-Turner Contracting Company and $100,000 from alumnus Dr. Roy Ans '63 for the new science building with construction expected to begin in the next academic year. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation also awarded $123,000 for the College's Center for Environment and Society.

To mark the success of the Campaign to date, the College will host a Milestone Celebration on May 18, 2002, for all donors to the Campaign at the 1782 Society $1,200 level and above, as well as descendants of the original subscribers to the first canvass that raised 10,000 pounds to launch the College in 1782. Actor Larry Hagman, whose family established the Mary Martin Drama Scholarship at Washington College in honor of his late mother, will attend the party and receive an honorary degree during the College's 220th Commencement on Sunday, May 19.

Washington College Campaign Reaches $64 Million

Chestertown, MD, January 9, 2001 — Four major commitments in December pushed the Campaign for Washington's College to $64 million in just the first two years of a five-year fund-raising goal of $72 million. The four gifts will be doubled in value in accordance with a $10 million challenge from The Hodson Trust.

Major gifts include $1 million from Connie and Carl Ferris of Rock Hall, Md., to establish a Chair in Business Management; $800,000 from Chevy Chase Bank to endow the Chevy Chase Bank Scholarship; and $100,000 from the Seraph Foundation to create the Seraph Foundation Scholarship.

"On behalf of the entire Washington College community, I extend my deep thanks to everyone who has contributed to the early successes in our Campaign," said Jack S. Griswold, Chair of the National Campaign Cabinet. "Response to the Hodson Trust Challenge has been wonderful. More than 15 gifts totaling $6 million will be matched by The Hodson Trust."

In addition to scholarships, faculty support, campus enhancements and improvements to academic programs, Campaign funds are helping to develop three new centers of excellence at Washington College: The C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience, the Center for Environment and Society and the Center for Writing and the Creative Process.