Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti has exceeded the $100 million goal for its Give Rise: The Campaign for Eastern by raising more than $119 million, the largest fundraising effort in the school’s history.
The funds are expected to support student success, advance programs of distinction, and help students excel in and beyond the classroom.
“We are immensely grateful for the donors, alumni, faculty, staff, and volunteer leaders who made this historic campaign a tremendous success,” says James Smith, president of EMU. “The Give Rise campaign will impact almost every part of our university — from scholarships to laboratories to learning across the globe, helping to set a new standard for teaching and learning at Eastern.”
The campaign’s public phase began in 2021, focusing on scholarships, faculty support, and academic program investments critical to student retention and success in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly 21,000 donors made more than 84,000 gifts or pledges, totaling $119,123,170.
“Through their generous contributions, our donors are making it possible for today’s students – and generations of future Eagles — to experience new ways of learning, explore their passions, and achieve greatness,” says Dara Munson, chair of the EMU Foundation Board of Trustees during the public phase of the campaign. “On behalf of the EMU Foundation Board of Trustees and the Give Rise campaign cabinet, we thank each and every donor. Eastern’s students are the real stars of this campaign — they are living examples of the impact Give Rise is making.”
In addition to supporting student success initiatives such as scholarships and faculty research projects, Give Rise has helped create state-of-the-art laboratories, classrooms, meeting spaces, and provided new equipment and technology across campus.
The investments, university officials state, will ensure EMU remains competitive in an ever-changing, global landscape while continuing its mission of providing quality education for all students regardless of background or financial need.
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