Breaking News: UNCW’s “Soaring to Greatness” campaign is now over, Chancellor Gary Miller announced today at a press conference. The campaign’s goal of raising $65 million has been met nearly a year ahead of schedule. The campaign raised $66.4 million total.

Former Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo established “The Campaign for UNCW: Soaring to Greatness” in 2005 with a goal of raising $65 million for the university by the end of 2012—the university’s 65^th anniversary. The final and public phase began in February 2011.

“It was a great pleasure to tell (the former Chancellor) the success of the campaign which she initiated,” said Miller. “She’s very glad and very grateful to all of you.”

Among the 27,800 donors, 44 percent were alumni. About 1,200 former and current faculty and staff gave $1.3 million, and student dollars to the senior class gift increased 317 percent.

A large majority—91 percent—of campaign funds will directly support specific scholarships, professorships, academic and athletic programs. Miller added that these funds will not offset recent budget reductions.

As a result of the campaign, 239 new scholarships have been created. In addition, eight new distinguished professorships were created, seven of which are in the amount of $1 million or more, and one at $500,000.

“Given the global impact of the economic recession, I cannot tell you how impressed I am with the success of this campaign and the clear dedication of our donors and supporters to our university,” stated Miller in the official release.