By ZOE FERGUSON
After announcing it had exceeded its original $4.75 billion goal over the summer, the University has increased its “Cornell Now” campaign goal by one billion dollars, President David Skorton announced Friday.
The campaign surpassed its initial goal after reaching at least $4.79 billion by the end of June, the University announced last month. At his final State of the University address Friday, Skorton announced Cornell’s new campaign goal.
“Inspired by the momentum we have already achieved and pending formal board approval later today, I am pleased to announce that we plan to set a new campaign goal of $5.75 billion to be achieved by the Cornell Now campaign’s official end in December 2015,” he said.
Skorton said that the additional funds raised towards this new goal will support Cornell Tech, in addition to the Ithaca campus and Weill Cornell Medical College, which are already indicated as beneficiaries of the Cornell Now campaign.
“Our dreams are fueled and our endeavors [are] bolstered by the tremendous generosity of Cornell’s alumni, parents and friends,” Skorton said. “Thanks to you and other Cornellians, our total giving continues to raise above the $4.75 billion goal we surpassed last summer and separately the $600 million raised so far for Cornell Tech.”
Skorton said he will continue to pursue this new fundraising goal, adding that he believes Cornell will reach the milestone before December 2015.
“I will do all I can to advance us toward this ambitious new goal during my remaining time at Cornell,” Skorton said. “I have no doubt that Elizabeth Garrett, who will become Cornell’s 13th president on July 1, is superbly equipped to move us forward in this and in so many other ways.”
Skorton said he thinks the Cornell Now campaign has enhanced the school and will continue to do so through 2015.
“We are buoyed by the success of the Cornell Now campaign, to which so many of you have contributed, and the momentum we have going into this sesquicentennial year,” Skorton said. “I know we can continue to contribute to societal progress and individual success.”