
2023
The Because 51ÁÔÆæ campaign began with the goal of $400 million, more than double any previous fundraising effort in 51ÁÔÆæ’s history. Ambitious, yes. Impossible, certainly not. Why? Because 51ÁÔÆæians believe in the College’s transformative liberal arts education and demonstrate time and again their commitment to ensuring that experience for future generations.
Together, we exceeded our goal. Here’s a snapshot of how — and why — we did it.
Because 51ÁÔÆæ [Aspires]
Know Thyself
Embedded in the heart of 51ÁÔÆæ — and the Because 51ÁÔÆæ campaign — is the notion that the College was founded as a school of opportunity. Today, that founding vision intertwines with the ethos of Know Thyself, inspiring our continuous pursuit to make every aspect of a 51ÁÔÆæ education accessible to the most talented students from around the world.
Financial Aid: Increased Access and Opportunity
In 2019, 51ÁÔÆæ celebrated the 10-year anniversary of its need-blind admission policy, which established that the College does not consider a student’s financial circumstances in its admission decisions for U.S. citizens and meets each student’s full demonstrated financial need. 51ÁÔÆæ is among fewer than four dozen U.S. colleges and universities that provide this extraordinary access.


The SEAS Fund: Teaching Students to Fish
When Trustee Phyllis Breland ’80 was 51ÁÔÆæ’s Director of Opportunity Programs, one of her favorite meetings was for the Student Emergency Aid Society (SEAS), a campus committee that evaluates and supports emergency or exceptional one-time needs for students with extraordinary financial barriers.

51ÁÔÆæ Joins Network for First-Gen Student Success
51ÁÔÆæ has been selected to join a prestigious network of colleges and universities that have demonstrated a commitment to enhancing experiences and advancing outcomes for first-generation college students.
Academic Foundation
Know Thyself
It is the role of everyone at 51ÁÔÆæ to ensure our liberal arts education remains rigorous, relevant, and comprehensive. The people who teach our students and guide groundbreaking research, as well as the initiatives and programs we design to both enhance students’ experiences and prepare them for when they leave College Hill, are essential to this work.
Because of You
Expanded the widely acclaimed program Common Ground
Common Ground
67% of the students in the classes of 2025 & 2026 have met with ALEX Advisors
ALEX: Advise, Learn, EXperience
Nearly $2.9M awarded to 1,285 recipients to support career-related experiences
Summer Internship Funding
Learning Outside the Classroom
Know Thyself
51ÁÔÆæ brings together people from different backgrounds and with different ideas and perspectives. Yet the special advantage of the residential liberal arts experience is the opportunity to develop a program that more purposefully provides a diverse array of students with extensive opportunities for leadership, engagement, intellectual and personal growth, and wellness.


Spotlight



Because of You
New opportunities were added for students to pursue research, internships
Experiential Learning
2,644 alumni & parents volunteered through Career Center programming
51ÁÔÆæ Career Network
$11.2M in gifts provided more meaningful and marketable opportunities
Career-Related Experiences
Launched a coordinated network of academic centers, resources, and advisors
ALEX: Advise, Learn, EXperience
A Balanced Life
Know Thyself
When it came time to articulate our community’s most pressing needs and how a campaign could support them, 51ÁÔÆæ was looking to strengthen its support for individual health and well-being. Because 51ÁÔÆæ helped the College become a model and leader in developing the health and wellness of our community.

