Coastal Carolina University's 50th Anniversary Initiatives, which had an original goal of $10 million, has brought in just over $13 million, according to announcement by Coastal President Ronald R. Ingle.

The campaign, the largest in Coastal's history, was designed to raise private funds to support the academic, physical and athletic needs of the university, including scholarships, endowed professorships and programmatic endeavors.

"This is a historic achievement," said Ingle, "and one that will continue to move this institution forward in many directions for years to come."

Major gifts Coastal has received during the past two years have included the $2 million gift from area businessman Bob Brooks for Coastal's football stadium; the $1.5 million gift from Burroughs & Chapin Company, Inc., for an educational research center at Waites Island; and a $1 million gift from the William L. "Spud" Spadoni family to support the university's College of Education.

Unique programs and services created through the campaign include the Jackson Family Center for Values and Ethics through a gift from the family of Nelson and Mary Emily Jackson; the Endowed Chair in Wetlands Studies through a gift from Hal B. Holmes; the Nancy Arthur Smith Visitors-in-Residence Program; the Biddle Center for Teaching and Learning through a gift from Larry and Ginny Biddle; the Graham Family Bell Tower through a gift from the family of Harvey Graham Sr.; the Board of Trustees Distinguished Leadership Endowment through a gift by Fred DuBard; the Lib Jackson Student Center; the Donald A. Moore Scholarship Fund; and the Vrooman Baseball Field through a gift from John Vrooman.

Recent gifts include the J.K. East Endowed Ethics Scholarship, established by Coastal's only living original founder; the Juli Streater Powers Special Education Initiative; and the Ron and Judy Ingle Endowed Scholarship for Dependent Children or Grandchildren of Coastal Carolina University Faculty and Staff.

Co-chairmen of the initiatives committee are Billy Alford, an area businessman and Coastal alumnus, and Hal Holmes Jr., a longtime member of the Coastal Educational Foundation and former member of Coastal's board of trustees.