Campaign for ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼×ÊÁÏ launched with $100 million goal and major gift
Donald and Pamela Washkewicz announce $5 million donation at campaign kickoff
CLEVELAND (Friday, May 8, 2015) – ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼×ÊÁÏ announced it will embark on a $100 million comprehensive campaign, "Engage: The Campaign for ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼×ÊÁÏ," that will significantly increase available funds for needed scholarships and programs that help students succeed. The plan, which was unveiled today at ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼×ÊÁÏ's signature annual fundraiser, Radiance, is the first-ever fundraising effort of its kind for the University.
The campaign received a significant boost with an announcement at the event from ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼×ÊÁÏ alumnus and Parker Hannifin Chairman Donald Washkewicz that he and his wife, Pamela, have donated $5 million. This is the second major gift since 2014 from the Washkewicz family.
“ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼×ÊÁÏ is an essential institution that has a special obligation to deliver higher education excellence while maintaining affordability," said ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼×ÊÁÏ President Ronald M. Berkman. "We are extraordinarily grateful to the Washkewicz family for propelling this campaign forward and supporting our mission to be a model for public, urban universities."
In 2014, Mr. and Mrs. Washkewicz and the Parker Hannifin Foundation donated a combined $10 million. In recognition of the transformational gift, the College of Engineering was renamed in the family's honor. The most recent gift will also be directed to enhancing engineering education at ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼×ÊÁÏ.
"An investment in ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼×ÊÁÏ is an investment in Northeast Ohio," said Mr. Washkewicz." We are very proud to contribute again and we are confident that ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼×ÊÁÏ alumni and the community will join us in responding strongly to this opportunity to build on the University's momentum."
The campaign will be co-chaired by Mr. Washkewicz and Monte Ahuja, both of whom have deep ties to the Northeast Ohio business and civic communities.
Mr. Ahuja is Chairman and CEO of MURA Holdings LLC and served on the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼×ÊÁÏ Board of Trustees from 1991 to 2000, including six years as chairman. In 2011, he and his wife Usha donated $10 million to ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼×ÊÁÏ. The University renamed the Monte Ahuja College of Business in his honor.
"ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼×ÊÁÏ is a passion in my life and I am honored to co-chair this campaign with my fellow alumnus Don Washkewicz," said Mr. Ahuja. "This campaign will help ensure the continued success of ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼×ÊÁÏ students and provide a pipeline of graduates who are committed to using their education for the betterment of Northeast Ohio..
ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼×ÊÁÏ has launched a website with additional information about the campaign at .