Oakland University leaders, students, friends and donors gathered April 22 to kick off the university’s first-ever comprehensive campaign and set the campaign’s financial target at $110 million raised by the year 2010. University leaders also announced the theme of the campaign: “Innovation and Opportunity, the Campaign for Oakland University.”

“Today is the dawn of a new era in Oakland University’s history,” said OU President Gary Russi. “An era that will see momentous changes, incredible growth and a reinvigorated commitment to maintaining a strong liberal arts tradition that produces graduates who form the educational, economic, cultural and social bedrock of our communities. An era that will produce Oakland University graduates that are well prepared to make an immediate impact in the workplace and on the economy.”

The theme of the campaign underscores all of Oakland’s efforts in the next five years.

“We will strive to provide our students and faculty with innovation in all areas: From increased support for faculty chairs and professorships to enhancement of our undergraduate, graduate and faculty research activities; from increased commitments for student scholarships, so that we can attract the best and brightest students to Oakland, to capital enhancements and infrastructure improvements, innovation will be the principle that guides our efforts,” Russi said. “In turn, innovation across the board at Oakland will automatically translate into increased opportunity for our students, our faculty and for the entire state of Michigan.”

The silent phase of the campaign began July 1, 2002. So far, Oakland has raised $63.8 million toward its overall goal of $110 million.

“The support of our community of friends, alumni, students, faculty and staff have made Oakland’s commitment to excellence a reality,” said Vice President for University Relations Susan Goepp. “The support we will receive during this campaign will help set our direction for the future and make a lasting impact on Oakland University and the communities we serve.”

“It is impossible to overstate the importance of a high-quality education as a stepping stone to success in whatever you choose to do in life,” said Campaign Co-Chair Dennis Pawley, an OU alumnus, member of the Board of Trustees and long-time friend and donor. “As we move forward with this campaign, we are asking donors to make an investment in Oakland University’s students, faculty and programs because we know that investment will reap huge dividends for the community and the entire state for generations to come.”