Destination Excellence Campaign

Tops $10 million – Over the Goal

The Destination Excellence campaign, which began in July 1998 to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the College, came to a successful close on December 31, 2003. Four thousand generous donors have given and pledged $10,734,633. Most of the ultimate goals of the Campaign were accomplished: the endowment was doubled, the building projects were realized or initiated, and the base of support from numbers of alumni and friends was broadened. The Campaign was ambitious and its successes will aid measurably the well-being of the College for the next 150 years. Look for a comprehensive Campaign review in the upcoming spring issue of Columbia College magazine.

$4,103,348 Given for Endowment during Destination Excellence

The endowment of Columbia College was doubled during Destination Excellence raising its total to just over $10,000,000. Endowment support was received for scholarships and programs through outright gifts and by way of bequests.

These named scholarships were created during the Campaign:

A scholarship was created at each extended campus (31). In addition, named scholarships at extended campuses during the Campaign were:

The annual Boone County (Missouri) Endowed Scholarship campaign, supported by the Columbia area business community with both funding and volunteers, brought more than $150,000 to the endowment during the Campaign period.
Endowment support for programs was made possible by these named funds:

$3,607,707 Given for Building Projects and Support

Major goals at the outset of the Campaign, in July 1998, included the expansion and renovation of athletic facilities and the renovation of Missouri Hall. Knowing that, during the five and one-half year period of the Campaign, unforeseen opportunities would arise, the Campaign was designed to remain flexible so as to meet those opportunities. The results:

The Southwell Complex. Named in honor of former trustee and benefactor, Virginia Southwell Singletary ’39, the competition gymnasium on the Columbia campus was more than doubled in size and re-programmed into a multi-use physical exercise / special events center.

The Southwell Complex features: a sparkling competition floor, The Arena, where basketball and volleyball competitions will take place; The E. Desmond Lee Courts, a double tennis court sized area for intramurals and special events; the Training Center for exercise and rehabilitation in the Southy building; the Stafford Family Hall of Fame, for special recognition of athletic related endeavors; the Bixby Room which is used for game-day Cougar Club gatherings, special events, and as a campus meeting place; plus merchandise sales space, concessions facility and an expanded media / press box platform. Especially important is that commencement exercises are now conducted on the Columbia campus in Southwell Complex twice a year. All this would not be possible without the successes of the Campaign.

Missouri Hall. Renovations for Missouri Hall, restoring it as a prestigious Columbia campus historic building, was a goal of the Campaign. A committee of alumnae, all former residents of Missouri Hall set to work and raised almost $100,000. Midway through the Campaign period, the Board, realizing an opportunity made possible by a major lead gift, shifted Campaign priority from Missouri Hall to the construction of a new Student Commons. Missouri Hall will be cared for soon, pending the results of an updated Columbia campus master plan, due in spring, 2004.

Student Commons. Over $2,490,000 was given during the Campaign period for the Atkins-Holman Student Commons. Donors gave $1.4 million for general Campaign purposes during an 11-month period in order to qualify for and receive a $1.2 million Mabee Foundation gift for Student Commons contruction. The McQuinn Challenge of $300,000 has and will motivate many to complete the fundraising goal of $3,000,000 for the new building.
The College received generous support for other capital projects during the Campaign. The William T. Kemper Foundation, Commerce Bank, and the Verizon Foundation provided total funding for a state-of-the-art multimedia classroom. The Fred V. & Dorothy H. Heinkel Charitable Foundation gave generously to upgrade equipment in the science department.

Planned Giving During Destination Excellence Totals $2,544,216

Bequests received and verifiable plans for the College are included in Campaign totals. Bequests from 18 individuals were received during the campaign period, providing $1,742,218, while the balance of the total is expected from 13 members of St. Clair Society, a membership organization for those who have included Columbia College as a beneficiary in their estate plans. Funds received, for the most part, were unrestricted while a significant portion is designated to the endowment.

Ongoing Expendable Support Received Gifts of $2,221,640

Constituents of the College rallied behind the Campaign effort and the sesquicentennial birthday celebration. More alumni donors than ever before made first-time and first-time-in-a-long-time gifts. A sharp increase in the number and amount of corporate matching gifts was an unexpected but welcome result of the Campaign. The number of alumni donors increased 38% from 1998 to 2003.

Thank you!

The Board of Trustees, administration, faculty and staff of the College wish to thank the many volunteers and donors who made possible the success of Destination Excellence. The future for students attending Columbia College is brighter because of what you have done. Looking forward to the next 150 years … thank you!!

Thank You Campaign Volunteers!
Click here for a listing of the many dedicated campaign volunteers.