The largest and most successful campaign in the university’s history, as well as the largest campaign ever for a private school in the Northwest, the RISE campaign, is set to finish May 9. The campaign was announced in December 2010 and is expected to raise $200 million, $25 million more than the goal set by UP.
Thus far, the university has raised $163 million from 6,000 donors.
Before the campaign began, the University brought in an outside firm to generate a realistic fundraising goal. The firm suggested $125 million.
“But we were maybe stupid, or audacious, as a University, and set a goal of $175 million,” said Vice President for University Relations Jim Lyons.
Lyons said he’s satisfied with the results of the campaign.
“It’s gone much much better than I ever thought it would go,” Lyons said. “I feel really good about it.”
In addition to numerous improvements to campus facilities, 164 new scholarships were created because of the campaign. These include scholarships for humor, entrepreneurship, teaching, being from Haiti, studying in the executive MBA program, engineering and nursing.
164 new scholarships were created because of the campaign. These include scholarships for humor, entrepreneurship, teaching, being from Haiti, studying in the executive MBA program, engineering and nursing.
In addition to the numbers, Lyons was surprised by the support the campaign received – not only from students and alumni, but also from the surrounding community.
“That really speaks about the students who are going out in the community and spreading the word – not even by talking about (UP), but through their actions,” Lyons said. “And people say, ‘Wow, I want to be a part of something like that.’”
UP’s largest donors: the Shileys
Donald and Darlene Shiley initially became involved with the University of Portland, specifically the RISE Campaign, because it was Donald’s alma mater. Donald graduated from UP in 1951 from what is now called the Donald P. Shiley School of Engineering and later went on to invent the Bjork-Shiley artificial heart valve. After her husband’s death in July 2010, Darlene continued to support UP.
The Shileys are the biggest donors to the campaign, having given about $20 million to the University. But Darlene gives more than money to the students of UP. She gives hope, compassion and insight into the importance of education and being a well-rounded person.
“My philosophy on how I approach giving is kind of to spread bread crumbs in hopes that the Development people and the leaders will pick up the breadcrumbs and find their way to where I want them to go,” Darlene said.
Darlene began giving to the campaign to help renovate Shiley Hall and improve the engineering program. But Darlene couldn’t leave the campaign unfinished. After hearing about the campaign’s final push to raise more money for a Howard Hall replacement, Darlene decided to give again.
“I like to think that I started at the beginning and am bringing up the rear,” Darlene said. “That’s always how Donald and I operated. We’d either start a project, or if we thought it was lagging we’d jump start it in the middle, and then quite often (we’d) finish things off. I don’t like to see good things left undone.”
Darlene said one of the things that attracted her and Donald to UP was its emphasis on values-based education.
“Obviously all of the improvements are wonderful, but one of the things that hasn’t changed is that emphasis on values-based education,” Darlene said. “And I think that’s part of the education we impart. It’s kind of a holistic approach. Yes, the education is vitally important, but rounding yourself out is important too.”
Darlene said if Donald were to see the progress made on campus through the RISE Campaign, he’d be “deliriously happy.” Donald may have been the reason she first became familiar with UP, but Darlene has come to love the students, faculty, programs and leadership that make up the University. Evident in her philanthropic work and her generous giving to UP, strong values drive Darlene’s actions. She said she hopes students learn the importance of doing good.
“Embrace as many opportunities as you can, be as good as you can, and serve as a positive influence wherever you can,” Darlene said. “I think that no matter what your talent is, you need to do something to make the world a better place.”
Darlene’s message also included reflection on relationships in life.
“I think if you’re really fortunate in life, as I consider myself to be, you find a mate that shares your philosophy of life,” Darlene said. “But you have to really love that person with everything you have. You don’t want to miss that person. My mother told me when I was younger, ‘Wait for the right one.’ And I remember (at age 28) asking her, ‘Gee, Mom, any chance I missed him? Maybe I was asleep … when he came.’ She’d say, ‘Oh no, you’ll know.’ And, boy I gotta tell ya, when he rolled down the street, I said, ‘Mom, you are so right.’”
While Darlene gives insightful advice for others, she also recognizes her own desire to improve.
“I wish I was a better person than I am, I think most people do,” Darlene said. “But I’m pretty overall happy with what I’ve been able to do.”
Darlene said everything she does has been greatly influence by her late husband.
“I’ll just keep doing it because I’m the widow of a really incredible man and I don’t want him to be disappointed in me,” Darlene said. “And I think he’s watching over me. Every so often I ask him for a sign, like ‘Am I doing the right thing?’ And I honestly think sometimes things happen and they honestly speak to you. I think he guides me. I know he’s there. I have enough faith to know that.”
Where has the $163 million raised thus far gone?:
Donors can decide where they want their donation to go. Here’s where donors have donated their money.
$1.7 million: Athletics
$8.5 million: faculty development (grants for faculty/student research, funds to support)
$17 million: schools and specific programs
$21 million: unrestricted donations (donor made no specification as to where to put money)
$45 million: annual and endowed scholarships
$70 million: buildings/facilities
Types of Donors:
$49 million: Alumni
$16 million: Friends
$38 million: Corporations, Foundations, and Organizations
$6 million: Parents
$51 million: Regents
$1.1 million: Faculty and Staff
$41.7 million: All Planned Gifts
RISE projects to come:
River Campus
Though the finished River Campus is still another decade away, planning has begun with the promise of science labs, practice fields, greenways and a 21st century track.
Recreation Center
The new Recreation Center is set to break ground on May 9 when the RISE Campaign officially ends. The University anticipates spending $23 million on the construction of a new Recreation and Wellness Center. Thus far, the campaign raised between $18 and $19 million out of the $23 million goal.
Unusual donations to the RISE campaign
- Lumber
- Pumpkins
- Golf cart
- Grand piano, viola, Paraguayan harp and antique dulcimer
- Cupcakes, strawberries and pizzas
- Mink stole and rabbit-fur coat
- A barrel of beer and a case of wine
- A pool cue
