Show the World, Gustavus’ comprehensive campaign to showcase the achievements of the college and to encourage the momentum of student-centered achievements, is now in it’s fourth year; This yearits public phase began. As part of this phase, President Bergman has recently begun a “Presidential Rollout Tour” in which she will travel to cities across the country to talk to Gusties about what’s new on campus. The Gustavian Weekly sat down with the President to discuss the promotional excursion.
The comprehensive campaign began around the fall of 2015. Since then, the college has gained momentum with efforts including expanding the Center for Career Development and the massive $70 million Nobel Hall expansion. This year, the campaign has begun its “public” phase, launched during the 2019 Homecoming celebration, with the goal of shedding light on the colleges historic and recent achievements to increase the momentum even further.
Key campaign priorities include growing the college’s endowment to increase funds for programs like scholarships, student research opportunities and signature Gustavus events like the Nobel Conference and Christmas in Christ Chapel. Another priority is the improvement and expansion of campus facilities, notably Nobel Hall of Science and Lund Athletic Center. The campaign aims to raise $225 million for the college, which will be dispersed between the endowment, campus facilities, day-to-day operations, as well as other areas.
Going into the public phase of the campaign, $160 million has already been raised toward the $225 million goal. “[We are] excited about the tremendous momentum we have going into the public phase. We are well on our way to our campaign goal,” President Bergman said.
President Bergman also emphasizes the student-focused nature of the campaign.
“It is critically important to maintain our alignment and focus on the commitment to our students and increase the quality of their experience. That is really the goal of the campaign,” President Bergman says.
Bergman also highlighted Gustavus’s goal of achieving environmental sustainability on campus, which has become a big interest for students in recent years. Each newly expanded or renovated facility will take into account its energy footprint and make an effort to be as sustainable as possible.
President Bergman recently began a nation-wide tour to reach out to Gustie Alumni and talk with them about what’s current at Gustavus, her first comprehensive tour since the beginning of her time as President of the college. She began in late January with a trip to Seattle and Portland and will continue to travel through the late spring to visit cities like Denver, Miami, New York, Boston, and Chicago, and more.
While visiting these cities, Bergman has the chance to sit down with alumni, have a meal with them, and talk about Gustavus and ways that they can be involved in the campaign, as well as hear their thoughts and answer questions. She has engaged with a wide range of graduates, both contemporary and mature. “It’s really inspiring and fun to talk with a wide range of alumni. I also love hearing their anecdotes about their time on campus,” President Bergman said.
Throughout February, March and April, President Bergman will continue her tour. Meanwhile, the campaign continues at home, with the Nobel Hall renovations continuing steadily and plans for the Lund renovation moving forward. Much work on the campaign has been done, but there is stil more planned to be done in the near future to attract potential students and provide a high quality experience for current students.