Bruce Benedict Speech
Campaign Conclusion
October 4, 2003

On behalf of the Campaign Steering Committee, a group of colleagues whose leadership I will recognize in a moment, I welcome you to this ultimate celebration of Campaign St. Lawrence.

If I can take you back to 1994, when the first conversations about this Campaign began, we hoped we might achieve a $55 - 60 million goal. We adopted the theme “Making a Difference” because we knew we could do just that—we could, each of us, one by one, make a difference for the university we love.

By September 1997, we had raised $40 million in the silent phase, giving us the confidence to seek $75 million by December 2000. You helped us reach that level one year early and inspired the extension of Campaign St. Lawrence. We adopted a new concept to inspire our extension. Our concept alluded to the venerable “candle in the wilderness” and we said at the time:

“The shining light that is St. Lawrence University is the light of wisdom breaking the darkness of ignorance. It is the light of information revealing what was before unknown, unrecognized, unappreciated. It is light, soft and glowing, making clear the vision of each student.

It is light, strong and bright, leading Laurentians confidently throughout the world. It is the light of a candle, a steady yet gently changing flame, burning since 1856 and …shining into the 21st century.”
Campaign St. Lawrence would help us bring a New Light to St. Lawrence’s beacon, giving us added power to be, as President Sullivan expressed at the time “the proud, ambitious University which, like our students, seeks to make a difference in the world.”

And so it did. Our new light came from 20,514 alumni, parents, friends and foundations who have passion for and faith in St. Lawrence University. You made Campaign St. Lawrence the University’s most successful campaign ever, with a record $132,175,699 by December 31, 2002.

And you may consider these achievements among the many made possible with your support of Campaign St. Lawrence:

*Creation of the Launders Science Library and Computing Center
*Six new endowed faculty chairs
*17 new faculty positions
*50 new endowed scholarships
*Creation of new majors in global studies, biochemistry, neuroscience, computer science and environmental studies
*13 new international travel funds
*Creation of the St. Lawrence Leadership Academy and David Garner Center for Collegiate Volunteerism
*Renovation of Owen D. Young Library and $1 million a year for subscriptions and books for the libraries.
*$1 million annually to refurbish residence halls
*Seven new sports teams
*Construction of and improvements to athletics facilities such as the Newell Field House, the Robie Squash Center, Leckonby Stadium, the Munro Family Climbing Wall, MacAllaster Field, Merrick-Pinkard Track and Tom Fay Field.
That’s just a quick review. Campaign St. Lawrence became a medium for transformation of a college that itself transforms the lives of young people, who in turn offer their talents to improve our nation and world. Our calling ennobles our efforts, our achievements bring us all immeasurable satisfaction and joy.

I take this opportunity, before the largest Campaign audience we have, to express thanks to people who played very special roles in this historic effort.

The Campaign Steering Committee, made up of the trustees, directed the Campaign from month to month, year to year, in partnership with the professional staff. I would like to express my personal appreciation for all the time and effort they have expended on behalf of the Campaign. After I read their names, would they all please stand and be recognized:

My Vice Chairs, Karen Bruett, David Torrey and Larry Winston.
Chair of The Advancement Committee, Ed Amsler
Sabra Bartlett
Mary Bijur
Richard Brush
Frank Burr
Dekkers Davidson
Caroline Hovey
Sarah Johnson
Midge Longley
Archie MacAllaster
Amanda Pearson
Michael Ranger
Al Viebranz
Ed Wilson

I still remember the meeting of the Campaign Steering Committee when I proposed that in order for the Campaign to reach the original goal of $75 million, the goal for the Board of Trustees should be $17 million. I think I heard a few groans. Well, I am pleased to tell you that of the $132.2 million, the Board of Trustees are true leaders, giving $35.6 million, 27% of the Campaign total. This is a tremendous accomplishment. According to my friends in development, the 27% is at the high end of the range for trustee giving to a campaign.

Would all current and former Trustees please stand?

I’d like to repeat some words of appreciation that I shared in February with an audience of faculty and staff donors and volunteers. These words are that important. I agreed to chair Campaign St. Lawrence when I Dan and Ann Sullivan. Before Dan assumed the presidency of St. Lawrence, he visited my wife Ann and me at our home. During that conversation I sensed that contrary to most college Presidents, this man might actually like fund raising! He had not yet become president of St. Lawrence and already I saw the vision, the energy and the passion we would need to succeed. So I signed on. And here we are. I acknowledge again the gifts of time and wisdom Dan and Ann Sullivan have given St. Lawrence University. Their dedication is a model for presidential leadership and all of us involved with Campaign St. Lawrence understand how lucky we are to have them.

I close my remarks with President Sullivan’s words published in January 2000: “We are no longer merely a candle. We are a bright-burning beacon with a regional, national and even international reach.” I’ll add my own postscript to the President’s words. I know that reach is strong, and is extended by a University family whose members are, deeply and undeniably, good people. I have been honored to work with each of you. Thank you.