University Achieves 60% of Goal; Announces Public Phase of Capital Campaign

On June 15, 2012, after 18 months of behind-the-scenes fundraising, Ottawa University’s Advancing the Vision Capital Campaign went public during a special dinner to honor the exceptional generosity of OU’s trustees and major campaign donors to date.

Never before in the University’s combined history have so many $1 million-plus gift pledges been received. In the past six months alone, five such pledges have been made toward the Advancing the Vision campaign.

“These donors have acted with vision and wisdom and in the OU Spirit to help us realize many of the aspirations which were set out by our Board of Trustees to ensure the foundations of excellence for our institution as we head rapidly toward our sesquicentennial anniversary in 2015,” said President Kevin C. Eichner.

We are now asking you, our alumni and friends, to join us in preserving and furthering the footprint that this institution makes on the world by supporting the Advancing the Vision Capital Campaign. Ambitious at $24.3 million, the campaign is essential to helping us achieve many of the goals set forth for Ottawa University in the Vision 2020 strategic plan adopted in 2008. Your gifts, no matter the size, will guarantee the success of this incredibly important campaign and ensure that Ottawa University continues to operate on sure footing as a relevant, distinctive university of the highest caliber.

Monies raised during the campaign are slated to impact facilities, academic programming, scholarships, the endowment, athletics, and a number of other areas of the University. The most urgent need is the $4 million still required for building the new Gangwish Library and Gibson Student Center. These funds must be raised by July 10, 2013, in order to received $750,000 in challenge grant funds from the Mabee Foundation (see page 3). We encourage you to visit www.ottawa.edu/advancingthevision to learn more about the campaign and to determine where you would like your contribution to go.

On July 10, 2012, the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation awarded Ottawa University a $750,000 challenge grant toward the University’s new Gangwish Library and Gibson Student Center slated as part of its $24.3 million Advancing the Vision Campaign. Having currently raised approximately $6 million in gifts and pledges of the $10 million needed for the building project, OU now has until July 10, 2013, to raise the remaining $4 million in order to receive the Mabee funds.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our donors to multiply the impact of their contributions by leveraging the Mabee funds,” said Vice President for University Advancement Paul Bean. “This project is the largest in the $24.3 million dollar campaign and is the one which will most impact campus life in Ottawa, as well as the educational experience for all OU students nationwide. We are immensely grateful to the Mabee Foundation for making this grant available. Now we need our alumni and friends to rise to the challenge to help us achieve this worthy objective.”

The new 43,000 square foot library and student center are to be built at the Ottawa, Kansas, campus but will serve the entire university and the community with state-of-the-art technology, student services, dining, and conference amenities. The project has been underwritten in part with major lead gifts from the members of the Carl C. and Carrie Gangwish family of Kearney, Nebraska, and Marguerite (Monroe) Gibson of Ottawa, Kansas (see following pages), as well as other major donors. The University is now launching a public campaign to complete the necessary funding from alumni, friends, foundations, and business partners.

Ottawa University President Kevin C. Eichner said, “We are truly blessed by the generosity of the Mabee challenge and that of our donors who are making this project possible. This new state-of-the-art library and student center will contribute enormously to the quality of the experience of all members of our university community for decades to come. We can’t wait to complete our fundraising and to get started on the construction of this great facility!”

Gangwish Library

Members of the Carl C. and Carrie Gangwish family have made a $1 million pledge for the library, which will bear its name. The Gangwish family has a very long and loyal history with Ottawa University, evidenced not only by their significant pledge, but also by decades of service and the 22 family members who have attended the University.

“Providing state-of-the-art information access through a University library is providing a vital resource for all OU students, regardless of where they live or their field of study,” says family member Carl J. Gangwish ’56. “My parents felt so strongly about the importance and value of education that they sent all six of their children to Ottawa University. We want to help sustain and encourage Ottawa University’s goal of lifelong learning through our support for this project.”

Vice President for University Advancement Paul Bean worked closely with the Gangwish family to coordinate their gift.

“The Gangwish family has been a mainstay of Ottawa University for three generations, and I can’t think of a more appropriate family to bear the name of the new library,” he says. “Their support through finances, continuing involvement and the many family members who have attended OU makes the Gangwishes wonderful examples of the loyal donors we are blessed to have and the type of people who best exemplify our institutional values.”

Karla (Gangwish) Dye ‘79, serves on OU’s Board of Trustees and is the Advancing the Vision campaign chair.

“To offer a modern university library that provides immediate information access in today’s fast-paced technology age is imperative and a responsibility we have to our students,” she says. “So we’re excited to have the library as a featured component of this campaign, and I’m proud that our family is helping OU achieve that part of its vision for the future.”

 Gibson Student Center

Marguerite (Monroe) Gibson of Ottawa, Kansas, has made a $1 million naming gift to the University for the student center that will bear the Gibson name.

“We are deeply grateful for this million dollar gift from Marguerite Gibson and very pleased to be able to name the student center in her honor,” said OU President Kevin C. Eichner. “The Gibson Student Center, along with the Gangwish Library, will impact Ottawa University students for decades to come.”

Averyt Reading Room

A designated gift opportunity within the Gangwish Library is the Averyt Reading Room. Countless students, alumni and community members were touched by “Doc Averyt’s” life, and the reading room is OU’s way of recognizing his 38 years of service as faculty member, mentor, advisor, friend, honorary alumnus, and enduring benefactor of the Myers Library.

The University is slating $1 million for the room and is seeking designated gifts from those impacted personally by Doc Averyt. There will be additional opportunities to give to this special project and to honor Doc Averyt during Homecoming, October 25-28. See page 30 or visit www.ottawa.edu/alumni for more information.

Campaign Leadership Gifts

Cash and Pledges
ABC Central Region
Tim and Karla Dye
H. Robert Froning
Carl and Louise Gangwish
Leland and Wanda Gangwish
Lois and Vaughn Gangwish
Marguerite Gibson
Willard Hegberg
Michael and Martha Hetrick
Jeff and Tracy Hull
Rocelia C. Motley
David and Laura Owen
Barry and Hope Pelton
Brent Schaffer
Hank and Linda Scherich
Sodexo, Inc. and Affiliates
Estate Commitments
Michael and Martha Hetrick
Sonny and Betty Hays
James and Jeanne O’Dell
Ramon and Glenda Schmidt
H. Robert Froning

Additional Naming Opportunities
Gangwish Library
Bookstore
Meeting Room
Entry Node
Digital Classroom
Circulation Desk
Library Work Room
Quiet Study Computer Stations
Open Computer Station Area
Group Study Room (small)
Group Study Room (large)
Student Lounge

Gibson Student Center
Student Lounge
Mowbray Club (Entry Hub)
Dining Hall
Serving Area
Kitchen
Concession Stand
Apparel/Retail Center
Special Events Outdoor Area
Outdoor Dining Area
Bricks in Outdoor Area

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