JBU raises $156 million in campaign; celebrates centennial birthday
by September 26, 2019 6:21 pm 674 views
Siloam Springs-based John Brown University announced Thursday (Sept. 26) that it raised $156 million in its seven-year fundraising campaign, exceeding the campaign’s $125 million goal.
The private, Christian university is not only celebrating what is believed to be the largest capital campaign for a private university in Arkansas, but it is also celebrating its centennial birthday during homecoming this weekend, according to a news release.
JBU’s Campaign for the Next Century exceeded its fundraising goal by $31 million after receiving $156 million in gifts and pledges, said Jim Krall, vice president for university advancement.
“As JBU rejoices in its 100th anniversary this weekend, we are pleased to announce the successful conclusion of our historic Next Century Campaign,” said JBU President Chip Pollard. “We are so grateful to the many alumni, friends and foundations who have given or committed over $156 million to support the next century of JBU’s mission. Generations of future JBU students will benefit from these gifts, and we are deeply thankful to God for his blessings.”
The gifts to university have allowed it to build or renovate eight facilities and provide money for programs in nursing, computer science, art, entrepreneurship, track and field and archaeology. More than $42 million will go to financial assistance for students through the JBU Scholarship Fund and endowed scholarships. Campaign donors gave more than $13 million to establish 83 new endowed scholarships and increased 97 existing endowed scholarships. This was the first JBU campaign to include estates for future gifts, accounting for over $30 million, and many of which will provide money for future scholarships.
“We are blessed to have an incredible community of people who support JBU financially,” Krall said. “Nearly 9,000 alumni, parents, employees, foundations, corporations and friends of the university have given to support JBU during the campaign because they believe in the value of Christian higher education, and they desire to impact current and future students.”
The Campaign for the Next Century started in 2012 and became public on Jan. 21, 2015. The campaign officially ends Thursday night. The university does not have another fundraising campaign in the works.
Founded in 1919, JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 36 states and 59 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 40 majors, with programs in engineering, nursing, family and human services, biology, graphic design and construction management.