�糵����

�糵����, IL — January 29, 2001 —

Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) has exceeded its $250 million capital campaign goal a year ahead of schedule. As of December 31, the total stood at $253.5 million.

The IIT Challenge Campaign, the largest in the institution’s history, was launched four years ago by a matching gift of $120 million from long-time board member Robert Galvin and Robert Pritzker, chair of the university’s Board of Trustees.

The Challenge Campaign followed a comprehensive strategic planning process begun in the mid-1990s by university President Lew Collens. The planning process identified a number of objectives for IIT, including endowment of scholarships and fellowships to improve student quality, a program of sustained reinvestment in facilities and plant infrastructure, and enhancements to programmatic quality, including research.

“The Challenge Campaign has already profoundly affected the university,” said President Collens. “Thanks to its endowed scholarships, IIT now attracts some of the best young minds in this nation.” Average SAT scores for entering students is about 1300, says Collens, up 150 points from several years ago.

Collens also pointed to other significant changes resulting from the campaign, including start of construction on the McCormick Tribune Campus Center, designed by international award-winning architect Rem Koolhaas. Funds have also been committed to create a digital media center and to modernize S.R.Crown Hall, Mies van der Rohe’s signature building on campus. Campaign funds have supported faculty research and endowed leadership and entrepreneurship initiatives that have already enhanced the undergraduate, graduate and research experience.

Founded in 1890, Illinois Institute of Technology is a Ph.D.-granting technological university that awards degrees in the sciences, mathematics and engineering, as well as architecture, psychology, design, business and law. IIT has developed an interprofessional, technology-focused curriculum that prepares students for leadership in an increasingly complex and culturally diverse global workplace, while conducting a substantial program of applied and basic research that enhances human well-being.

Founded in 1890, IIT is a Ph.D.-granting technological university awarding degrees in the sciences, mathematics and engineering, as well as architecture, psychology, design, business and law. IIT’s interprofessional, technology-focused curriculum prepares the university’s 6,200 students for leadership roles in an increasingly complex and culturally diverse global workplace.