Coastal Carolina University has launched a $10 million fund-raising campaign in conjunction with the observance of the institutions 50th anniversary, according to an announcement today by Coastal President Ronald R. Ingle. The campaign is the largest fund-raising effort in the universitys history.

With Fred DuBard, chairman of the Coastal Carolina University Board of Trustees, Ingle outlined the 50th Anniversary Initiatives program prior to the quarterly meeting of Coastals Board of Trustees. The three-part campaign is designed to raise private funds to support the academic, physical and athletic needs of the university, including scholarships, endowed professorships and programmatic endeavors.

Major gifts to Coastal received during the silent phase of the campaign include the recent $2 million gift from area businessman Bob Brooks for Coastals 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 for the education college.

Coastals leaders have planned a 50th anniversary that will give us a unique vantage point to look back but also to look forward, to outline our vision for building a culture of excellence that will characterize our university in the next 50 years, said Ingle. The 50th Anniversary Initiatives campaign is an integral part of our vision for the future.

Coastal will begin the official celebration of its 50th anniversary in September 2004. The 50th Anniversary Initiatives campaign will conclude by June 30, 2005.

The three initiatives planned for the campaign include:

The Science Initiative involves funding for construction of the Burroughs & Chapin Marine Center on Waites Island and renovation of the existing R. Cathcart Smith Science Center.

The Academic Initiatives call for funding for academic and public engagement programs in the E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration, the College of Education, and the Thomas W. and Robin W. College of Humanities and Fine Arts.

The Athletic Initiative seeks funding for completing Brooks Stadium and the Buddy Sasser Athletic Hall of Fame, and extensive renovations of the baseball complex.

Co-chairmen of the initiatives committee are Billy Alford, an area businessman and Coastal alumnus, and Hal Holmes Jr., a longtime Coastal supporter and member of the Coastal Educational Foundation and former member of the Board of Trustees.