By Lana Lagomarsini
University fundraising nearly doubled in the last two years, Northeastern officials said.
Gifts and pledges have totaled $43 million for the 2008 fiscal year, up from $22 million in 2006, said senior vice president for the Office of University Advancement Diane MacGillivray, in a statement to The News.
Four large donations and a boost in smaller alumni donations account for the increase, according to the statement.
University Board of Trustees Chairman and 1968 alumnus Sy Sternberg; Ed Galante, a 1973 alumnus; Anthony Manganaro, 1967 almnus; and Henry Nasella, a 1977 almnus all made donations of $5 million or more to Northeastern within the last two years, according to information released by the university.
Sternberg donated $5 million to establish two endowed interdisciplinary faculty positions, which will be awarded to a faculty member at the associate position whose work demonstrates academic promise in one or more fields of study.
Galante donated $5 million to the university to establish a six-year program for engineers and business majors. The program will allow students to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in engineering and a Master’s degree in business administration.
Manganaro and his family, donated $7.5 million for the Torch Scholars program. Torch Scholars receive full tuition, including room and board and fees, for eight semesters, provided their school grades are maintained. Manganaro had previously donated to the Torch Scholars program in 2006, according to information released by the university.
Nasella donated $5 million to help support financial aid at the university.
Interim university spokesperson Jim Chiavelli said President Joseph Aoun made fundraising a priority when he came to Northeastern two years ago.
“Aoun has brought a new, vigorous approach to Northeastern,” he said, adding that Aoun created a University Advancement to help boost donations.
Aoun touched on the issue last week at the State of the University address, when he said fundraising was “friend-raising” and that the university needed to continue to push for it, regardless of the financial times.
“Fundraising is a long-term proposition that involves support,” he said in the speech.
Michael Armini, vice president for marketing and communications at Northeastern, said the recent rise in donations is remarkable.
“We want to keep on the current trajectory and continue raising funds for the school,” he said.
Northeastern is not the only Boston area university to make a push for more donations in recent years: Boston College recently announced its “Light the World” campaign aimed to raise $1.5 billion.
“We have already reached $500 million and are confident that we will reach our goal” said Jack Dunn, director of public affairs for Boston College.
