Four members of the Board of Trustees together have committed $10.5 million to Forward Thinking: The Campaign for Case Western Reserve University. The gifts, announced at the board’s February meeting, will support programs ranging from student scholarships to academic programs and building projects.
“Our trustees recognize the extraordinary contributions Case Western Reserve makes to learning and discovery—in short, to our future,” campaign chair Frank N. Linsalata said. “We are grateful to them for their belief in our mission and their dedication to supporting it with their personal resources.”
Board members have been making pledges to the campaign since its quiet phase launched five years ago. Among the commitments announced earlier include a $7.5 million commitment from current board chair Charles “Chuck” Fowler and his wife Char to support initiatives in sustainable enterprise at the Weatherhead School of Management; a $5 million commitment from former board chair Charles “Bud” Koch and his wife, Katie, to support the Tinkham Veale University Center; a $5 million commitment from trustee Larry Sears and his wife, Sally Zlotnick Sears, for think[ box ], a project to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship; and a $3 million commitment from Linsalata, also a former board chair, and his wife, Jocelyne, to support student scholarships and the university center.
In sharing news of their most recent gifts, trustees told their board peers about how their experiences at Case Western Reserve shaped and stretched them as future professionals. They also praised the university’s recent progress, including record-breaking fundraising, undergraduate applications and academic qualifications of entering classes. While spanning a broad range of disciplines, the most recent commitments share an emphasis on enhancing the student experience.
Future editions of The Daily will feature individual stories about the details of the latest commitments as they are finalized.
“We are deeply grateful to our trustees for their commitments to our capital campaign,” President Barbara R. Snyder said. “Their support sends a powerful signal to all of our alumni and friends regarding their confidence in Case Western Reserve’s future.”