The unveiling of the Opportunity and Knowledge Strengthened (O.A.K.S) campaign on Sept. 22 marked the beginning of an initiative announced at the right time, according to Stacy Brodak, vice president of Institutional Advancement. The five-year O.A.K.S. campaign is seeking to establish relationships with potential donors during “a critical time in our history,” as the campaign’s informational brochure states.

“It’s the right time for us because of all the good things that are happening: all the great things our students are doing,” Brodak said.

According to Waynesburg University President Douglas G. Lee, it is the right time for the campaign because of the great story the university has to tell.

“The impetus for moving this campaign at this point is the great story that we’re able to tell right now,” said Lee. “There is a great story to be told, and when you have a great story to tell, people want to support that story.”

Lee commented on the campaign and the lasting impact it will have on the university.

“‘Five years to begin another century of success’ or ‘Five years to begin another century of impact.’ ‘To begin’ I like because I think this is the beginning,” Lee said.

According to Lee, the campaign’s goal is to double the number of the university’s endowments within this five-year period. An endowment is a financial gift to an institution. The university currently manages over 92 endowed funds. Thus, the university hopes to manage at least 184 endowed funds by the end of the five-year campaign.

The brochure defines an endowment of at least $20,000 as a major gift but donors can contribute in other ways, too, such as short term non-endowed gifts and in-kind gifts which are non-conventional gifts such as works of art and books.

To Brodak, the process by which these funds will be acquired involves research, reaching out and telling others about the university’s story.

“We have our IA team (Institutional Advancement team),” Brodak said. “Something they do all the time is looking at our alumni list and trying to connect people with businesses.”

Brodak anticipates that the university’s ongoing strategic planning efforts can be useful in informing others about the institution.

“The goal really is to inform them about the institution, to begin with,” Brodak said. “It really is a wonderful thing that it [strategic planning efforts] is occurring at the same time because it’s a powerful tool to allow us to talk about the needs of the institution and the plan and the vision for the institution. And donors want to give to clear vision.”

The previous strategic plan was being replaced by a new one at the time of the campaign’s unveiling.

“The fact that the strategic plan is happening, I think, makes sense that they’re both coordinated and dove-tailed together, but, it’s more each one had evolved independently,” Lee said. “There’s some relationship, but it isn’t 100% related.”

Mary Cummings, senior vice president of Graduate Programs, confirmed that the last in-person strategic planning session for faculty concluded Wednesday, Sept. 27.

The enthusiasm of students for supporting their school may also be an inspiration to potential donors.

“Last fall, we had a day of giving, and our goal was 250 gifts, and we went over 600,” Lee said. “I think that’s reflective of the type of pride, enthusiasm, and support we have at this moment. It is a great moment to begin a campaign.”