As part of an approach to make the University one of America's best educational institutions, former University Rector Gordon F. Rainey, Jr. was selected to lead the University's $3 billion fundraising effort.
The fundraising campaign "is part of a three-pronged approach to move U.Va. to the elite of America's universities," said Robert Sweeney, senior vice president for development and public affairs.
This will be the largest fundraising campaign in the history of public education, Sweeney said.
The funding "will give us the ability to get the best and the brightest students regardless of their economic circumstances," he said.
According to Sweeney, Rainey was selected because he has been one of the University's long-term volunteer leaders.
"He's comfortable as a leadership solicitor, and he's got the ability to articulate the arguments for the University of Virginia and a willingness to solicit others in its support," Sweeney said.
Rainey was a former Board of Visitors Rector and leader of AccessUVa. His term as rector ended June 30.
"I think I'm privileged to have the opportunity to serve as the chairman of the campaign," Rainey said. "From my service on the Board of Visitors and as a former Rector of the University, I am very familiar with the University's goals and aspirations."
The campaign will have a fairly elaborate structure, Rainey said. As part of the fundraising campaign, there will be a national public kickoff on Sept. 30, 2006.
"Already we are quite well organized with our leadership in place, and we have enlisted volunteers all over the country who are going to be very active during the quiet phase of the campaign," Rainey said.
According to Rainey, the volunteers already have raised $690 million of the $1 billion they expected to raise before the kickoff scheduled for next September.
Because of the high dollar amount, this fundraising campaign is different from the past, Rainey said.
"We're raising a lot more money this time and we are, I believe, extremely well organized to do so, and I am very confident we will be successful," he said.
President John T, Casteen, III said he believes Rainey is well qualified for the task ahead of him.
"He is a born leader whose judgment and level of aspiration for the University are exactly what one seeks in a campaign chair," Casteen said in an e-mail.
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