The UH System has set two records in the 2012-2013 school year, both in private contributions and in fundraising.
The $117.8 million received by the System from private donations is the largest in the institution’s history, boasting an increase of almost $5.3 million since the previous year’s $112.5 million. UH also set a record by fundraising $110.3 million.
“These generous gifts are visionary, and they will shape our future and transform the lives of our students,” said Eloise Stuhr, vice president and chancellor for Advancement.
“While we have experienced an historic year for philanthropy, it is paramount that we continue to raise institutional funds through private giving to sustain our momentum and fulfill our commitment to student success.”
More than 26,000 alumni, friends, foundations and corporations contributed to UH, said Richard Bonnin, interim associate vice president and chancellor for UH Marketing and Communication.
Two noteworthy gifts in the past year are a $2 million gift from the Huffington Foundation and Ronald and Mariette Woestemeyer to support research for early diagnosis and treatment of disease and a $2.3 million donation from Schlumberger Ltd. to support the continued expansion and renovation of the UH Energy Research Park.
“The University of Houston is reinvigorating this campus, which was founded on the idea of tapping into human ingenuity and creativity and turning new ideas into services and products that help to deliver energy to the world,” said Rod Nelson, Schlumberger vice president of government and community relations, in a UH news release. “We think the University’s plans for the Energy Park fit that vision, and we are thrilled to be part of it.”
The building, previously known as Building 1, was renamed The Schlumberger Building last month in recognition of the donation.
These record numbers are crucial as the UH System and its four universities seek to improve education and student experiences by investing in current and future scholarships, programs and faculty development opportunities, Bonnin said.
Out of the money raised by donations, UH-Clear Lake raised more than $2.6 million, UH-Downtown raised $2.5 million and UH-Victoria raised more than $1.8 million in donations.
“We’re very grateful to our donors and friends and look forward to ensuring that their gifts — which are so crucial to maintaining excellence in our programs — help shape the University for generations to come,” Stuhr said.
