NORTH MANCHESTER - When Manchester University began the $45 million Manchester Bold capital campaign in July 2018, officials expected to finish by the end of June 2025. By the time the public phase of the campaign began at homecoming in fall 2022, however, they had a strong feeling it would end early.
Today, it's officially a wrap at $45.5 million.
"Despite a pandemic shutdown, economic uncertainty and tumultuous times, our generous donors allowed Manchester to complete the campaign a full two years early," said Melanie Harmon, vice president for advancement. "I can't thank you enough for stepping up and giving from the heart."
"We especially want to thank the caring alumni and friends who saw great need and took action - to those who gave a major gift, then gave again, and those for whom the gift was a stretch. We will honor them by serving our students well and being good stewards of each gift dollar," she said.
The impact is already being felt:
• Thirty new endowed student scholarships were established.
• Manchester launched nursing programs, with a traditional four-year Bachelor of Science of Nursing track and the 16-month accelerated BSN track for those who already have a bachelor's degree in another field.
• The new Spartan Pride Marching Band revived a Manchester tradition.
• Beginning this fall, Manchester offers a two-year, online master's degree in nutrition and nutrigenomics, combining education to qualify those who wish to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with cutting-edge science that studies the relationship between an individual's genes and how they affect their response to food and nutrients.
• Nearly $11 million was raised for The Manchester Fund, which bridges gaps and addresses unexpected needs so the university can focus on teaching and learning while also handling day-to-day realities.
• Women's varsity wrestling program is recruiting for fall 2024.
• The Marvin L. Bittinger Department of Mathematics and Computer Science was named. A donation from alumni Marvin and Elaine Bittinger supports student learning, research and faculty development.
• The Harry H. Henney '35 and Jeanette Henney Department of Education was named through a donation from alumna Dr. Jane Henney and her spouse, Dr. Robert Graham. It supports such things as education research and off-campus study for students.
• Alumni Dr. John and Esther Hamer established an estate gift to create the John L. and Esther L. Rinehart Hamer Professorship in Music.
• The new Manchester Chime tower, an initiative that started with the Students First! capital campaign that ended in 2014, was built in 2022 with a boost from the Bold campaign.
• There were 36 new planned gifts.
• Some of the money is going toward furthering Manchester's culture of diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Spartan Stadium was completed in 2021, combining gifts from the Manchester Bold and Students First! campaigns.