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Private School Reaches $100M Endowment Goal Before Deadline

University of Dubuqe

A small, private Christian college in eastern Iowa is expanding--by the millions. This month, the University of Dubuque reached its $100 million fundraising goal--more than one year before the deadline.

The school launched the campaign, called "Achieving the Dream," five years ago. And President Jeffrey Bullock, says it's helped pay for technology upgrades and renovations, including a new performance hall and student center. 

"We've built new residence halls, new classroom buildings, and on top of that, we've built up our endowment to provide scholarship support for our students, so that's kind of our main focus now."

The University of Dubuque's endowment has risen from $13 to $100 million in the past 15 years, and its student population has spiked from just over 500 to 2,000. 
Bullock says this growth is mainly due to private donors.

"They're amazing people--that's who they are. The full range from alums to non-alums to business people to clergy--and all places in between."

Even though the campaign, "Achieving the Dream," reached its goal, the University of Dubuque wants to raise even more, and is now aiming for $150 million by the end of next year.

Renata Sago is WMFE's general assignment reporter and occasional Morning Edition anchor. She covers everything from major political campaigns and unemployment to civil rights legislation and the performing arts for WMFE and NPR.