History
Campaign History
Norfolk State University launched the silent phase of its first comprehensive fundraising campaign on July 1, 2002, under the tenure of Dr. Marie V. McDemmond, NSU’s third President, with a goal of $15 million. NSU kicked off the campaign’s public phase in September 2005 with the University’s 70th Anniversary Gala. The Campaign for Norfolk State University: Initiatives for the Future was the largest fundraising effort in the University’s history. It focused on raising funds that would position NSU as a leader in research, teaching, and technology for decades to come.
Campaign Initiatives were as follows:
- Expand Student Support: Nearly nine out of ten undergraduate students at NSU receive some sort of financial assistance. By increasing the amount of money for student scholarships, students can focus fully on their studies and not worry about holding down part-time jobs.
- Advance Academic Instruction: Academic strength was said to depend on the quality of faculty, and the ability to compete for the best teachers and scholars as well as retaining them once they were hired.
- Enhance the Learning Environment: NSU’s five academic schools have unique needs for programmatic enhancement, space and facility improvements and equipment upgrades.
- Enrich the RISE Campus: The Marie V. McDemmond Center for Applied Research was the first building on the RISE (Research and Innovations to Support Empowerment) Campus and is a reflection of the convergence between research, technology, teaching and economic development.
- Embrace the Community: NSU’s annual giving campaign appeals to many in the community who have seen direct benefit from NSU programs and services.
In order to ensure campaign success, a strong and aggressive volunteer leadership team was chosen from various professional walks of life. They included: Joseph Fergus, chairperson; Joyce Shambley, vice chairperson – alumni; Earl Lee, vice chairperson – alumni; Willie Brown, vice chair – Board of Visitors; Yvonne Allmond, vice chair – ongoing giving; Allen Jones, vice chair – corporations and foundations; and Pastor William Tyree, vice chair – NSU Foundation Board. NSU’s development staff worked closely with the volunteer leadership to prepare them for the task of raising $15 million.
The Campaign for Norfolk State University accomplished several additional goals besides the monetary goal. It raised awareness among alumni of the need for increasing funds for student scholarships. The Campaign galvanized faculty and staff, who believe that charity begins at home, and then set out to raise a whopping $1,112,557. The Campaign addressed specific needs in the academic schools and demonstrated to the university’s internal publics some of the nuances of fundraising.
The Campaign for Norfolk State: Initiatives for the Future concluded at the end of August 2007, exceeding its goal by raising $15,380,569 after a two-year public phase.