in ‘Quest for Excellence’

By BETH LAKEY

Staff Writer

Feb. 5, 2000 8 PM

The Troy State University System more than exceeded its fund-raising expectations.

Friday night, it was announced that more than $21 million had been raised during the Quest for Excellence Capital Campaign.

Culmination of the three-year fund-raising effort came with a reception and program in the Hawkins Adams Long Hall of Honor and a ceremony and concert at the newly renovated Claudia Crosby Theater.

"It’s been very encouraging," said Jack Hawkins, chancellor of the TSU System.

He said the success of the campaign has put the university system in position to continue the fund-raising efforts.

Money raised during the campaign will be used to fund facility improvements, support services and scholarships at the university system’s campuses in Troy, Montgomery, Dothan and Phenix City.

John Schmidt, vice president of student affairs, said the capital campaign has "pulled together the Troy State University System family."

Hawkins said the improvements made will "create opportunities" so TSU can be a "good institution." In order to achieve "excellence," private committments and gift will have to continue to come into the school, he said.

In speaking of Friday’s ceremonies, Hawkins said they were not a culmination of the Quest for Excellence.

"It’s the commencement," Hawkins said. "We celebrate our achievements, but continue to the next."

With funds raised, improvements have already been made to the TSU Science Center, Richard M. Scrushy Field at Memorial Stadium, the Hawkins Adams Long Hall of Honor and the Claudia Crosby Theater.

Other projects supported by the campaign were: the Pace Hall-Rotary International Living and Learning Center, Sartain Hall and Trojan Arena, Tine Davis Fieldhouse and the Rane Auditorium, Sorrell College of Business Accounting Technology and Lurleen B. Wallace Hall Library enhancements.

"Anyone driving through the campus can see the changes," Schmidt said, adding there are still many more needs.

"You never end a capital campaign," Schmidt said.

On the satellite campuses, contributions have made possible the construction of the Rosa Parks Library and Museum and Curry Commons at the Montgomery campus, the library/technology building at Dothan and a classroom/technology building in Phenix City.

In addition to the building improvements, the Quest for Excellence has provided for more than $2.3 million in scholarships and enhanced support services.

Since the campaign went public in September 1998, significantly more than the $18 million overall goal. The goals for the capital campaign were to raise $13.7 million for the main TSU campus, $2.3 million for the Montgomery campus and $2 million for the Dothan campus.

Hawkins said the Quest for Excellence was made necessary because of cuts in funding for higher education.

"We’ve had a very difficult decade in funding of higher education in Alabama," Hawkins said.

TSU will continue raising funds through donations and gifts to the university system.