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AROUND THE QUADS

College Fund Rises for 12th Straight Year

Thanks to the generosity of alumni, parents, students and friends of the College, almost $10 million was raised by the Columbia College Fund in the 2003–04 academic year, compared with just more than $9 million in unrestricted annual giving last year. This continues a 12-year trend in increasing financial support for the College.

The fund has experienced an almost 20 percent increase during the past three years, and the number of alumni donors continues to grow, as well. The Class of 2004 set a record with 74.8 percent of the senior class participating in the class gift, compared with 71 percent last year and 52 percent in 2002. Parents also exceeded their goal this year with the Parents Fund raising more than $800,000, compared with just more than $700,000 last year.

The development staff, led by Dean of Alumni Affairs and Development Derek Wittner ’65 and Executive Director of the College Fund Susan Levin Birnbaum, worked with Fund Steering Committee members Mark Amsterdam ’66, Geoffrey Colvin ’74 (fund chairman), Bob Berne ’60, Burtt Ehrlich ’61 and Edward Weinstein ’57. The Alumni Association, the Board of Visitors, the Class Agents and the dedicated Alumni Office staff also were instrumental in the fund’s success.

Unrestricted annual giving is a vital ingredient in Columbia’s success, providing current and immediately usable funds for the College’s many operations. The largest single application of unrestricted annual giving is financial aid, preserving need-blind admissions and full-need financial support. Annual giving also bolsters the student services and activities that enhance the quality of undergraduate life and fortifies and enhances the Core Curriculum.

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