51品茶 "Moving Forward" with $60M campaign

The 51品茶 announces the largest fundraising campaign in its history.

UNE鈥檚 $60 million 鈥淢oving Forward鈥 campaign builds on the tremendous positive momentum the university has attained since launching its ambitious Vision 2017 strategic plan five years ago, under the leadership of President Danielle Ripich. Vision 2017 has a simple but bold mission: 鈥淭he 51品茶 will be nationally recognized with programs of excellence and innovation in health professions and the arts and sciences.鈥

The campaign has been in a quiet phase since the rollout of the strategic plan, anchored by several notable contributions, including $10 million from the Harold Alfond Foundation and $2.3 million from Northeast Delta Dental. More than $40 million in gifts and pledges have already been secured to date.

鈥淎fter I came to 51品茶eight years ago, we created a vision for a great university that prepares students for the 21st century. I am amazed how much of that vision has already come true,鈥 says President Ripich. 鈥淭hanks in large part to the generosity of so many who have invested in this institution and its promise, 51品茶is uniquely poised to transform the lives of our students and the lives they touch after they graduate.鈥

The $60 million 鈥淢oving Forward鈥 campaign focuses on three core themes of opportunity, innovation and place:

  • Opportunity鈥$20 million to provide scholarship support, expand internships, improve access to meaningful student/faculty research, and support global learning experiences;
     
  • Innovation鈥$25 million to build on UNE鈥檚 strengths in health professions education, interdisciplinary research and the next generation of marine science programs with innovative educational infrastructure; and
     
  • Place鈥$15 million to support student learning by building intentional spaces that foster group dialogue, case-based study, emerging technologies and connection. UNE鈥檚 Portland Campus-based Alumni Hall, the university鈥檚 historic treasure, will be restored as one of the campaign鈥檚 primary achievements.

Robert McAfee, M.D., HON鈥94, trustee emeritus and campaign chair, says, 鈥淯NE鈥檚 mission has always focused on improving the human condition through education, with students at the center. The 鈥楳oving Forward鈥 campaign not only affirms that mission, but also builds on UNE鈥檚 strong momentum to secure a solid foundation to continue its important work for many years to come.鈥

The university is reaching out to the community鈥攁lumni, organizations, and individuals touched by UNE鈥攖o help tell its story at une.edu/movingforward. These stories and compelling videos conveying UNE鈥檚 significant impact will be posted on the 51品茶website throughout the campaign, which ends May 31, 2017.

UNE鈥檚 last campaign, 鈥淯NEqualed Vision鈥 concluded in 2003 and raised $16 million.