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Connecticut College launches $200 million comprehensive campaign

October 27, 2008

NEW LONDON, Conn. - Connecticut College President Leo I. Higdon Jr. officially kicked off the public phase of a $200 million fundraising campaign with an announcement that the College has already raised $110 million.

The campaign, announced Saturday during the college's annual fall weekend for families and alumni, will provide funding for expanded residential education initiatives; further internationalization of the student experience; increased financial aid; and enhanced science programs, including a new academic building to house the biological sciences and computer science.

"Liberal arts education is important in today's world because liberal arts students are prepared for anything that comes their way," Higdon said during the launch event. "With the current economic environment and all the uncertainty in the world, it is absolutely critical - now more than ever - for us to do everything we can to continue to ensure the success of our students and the continued progress of Connecticut College."

The campaign was launched as part of "Celebration 2008," the college's annual fall weekend celebration, which also included presentations about current issues, concerts, art exhibits, athletic events and a number of social events. At the launch, the college premiered a video piece that shows the college through the experiences of four students. To view the video, click here.

Initial gifts through the campaign have already had a huge impact on the college. During the weekend, the college dedicated several spaces transformed by the philanthropy of several alumni leaders, including alumna and trustee Linda Lear, who donated $1 million to create the Linda Lear Center for Special Collections and Archives in the Charles E. Shain Library; alumna and trustee Judith Opatrny '72, who has provided support for faculty research, residence hall renovations and other initiatives; and alumna and emeritus trustee Lyn Silfen '67 and her husband, David Silfen, whose $1 million gift transformed one of the college's most-used lecture halls into a showcase for the use of technology in teaching and learning.

For more information on the Campaign for Connecticut College, visit campaign.conncoll.edu.

Situated on the coast of southern New England, Connecticut College is a highly selective private liberal arts college with 1900 students from all across the country and throughout the world. On the college's 750-acre arboretum campus overlooking Long Island Sound, students and faculty create a vibrant social, cultural and intellectual community enriched by diverse perspectives. The college, founded in 1911, is known for its unique combination of interdisciplinary studies, international programs, funded internships, student-faculty research and service learning. For more information, visit www.connecticutcollege.edu.

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For media inquiries contact: Amy Martin (860) 439-2526; a.martin@conncoll.edu