UND launches $500 million campaign

UND and the UND Alumni Association & Foundation (UNDAAF) are excited to announce the official launch of the university’s most ambitious fundraising campaign to date, “Forever UND: The Campaign for the University of North Dakota.” With a goal of $500 million, this campaign seeks to propel UND into a future of unparalleled excellence and innovation.

The campaign was unveiled during a special event, “Forever Starts Here: A Celebration for the Future,” held Friday, Oct. 6, in the Memorial Union on the UND campus and for an online audience watching a livestream of the event.

“We are thrilled to introduce ‘Forever UND: The Campaign for the University of North Dakota,’ ” said UND President Andy Armacost. “This campaign is not merely about raising funds; it’s about building a lasting legacy that will illuminate the path for future generations of UND students.”

The campaign is designed to focus on four key pillars:

• Student Scholarships: With a target of $125 million, this pillar aims to ensure that every student has access to a world-class education, regardless of their financial circumstances.
• Faculty and Research: Seeking to raise $120 million, this pillar will attract and retain top-tier faculty members, drive groundbreaking research, and foster an environment of academic excellence.
• Capital Projects: With a goal of $175 million, this pillar will invest in state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure, providing students and faculty with innovative resources to thrive.
• Programs and Priority Needs: Allocating $80 million to this pillar will support various programs and priority initiatives, allowing UND to adapt and excel in a rapidly changing world.

“We Do. We Lead. We are Forever UND,” emphasized Armacost, reflecting the university’s rich history and its commitment to shaping the future. The campaign seeks to capture the spirit of the university’s enduring legacy, dating back to its first graduating class in 1889.

The launch event featured speeches from notable alumni philanthropist Werner Nistler (grad year 1968, honorary degree 2023) entrepreneur and inventor Dr. Kathryn Uhrich, (grad year 1986) and former NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg (grad year 1994, honorary degree 2014). All of them highlighted their deep connections to UND and the reasons the campaign resonated with them.

Read the full story at UND Today.