We’re building a better WCU. You tell us how far we can go.

While the nature of COVID-19 has changed the tools our students need to reach their goals, it has not changed their passion to become WCU graduates – and so, even through a pandemic, student success remains at the heart of our philanthropic mission.

Through the generosity of alumni, University friends and family, and community partners, the West Chester University Foundation secured almost $14 million in outright and future commitments in the 2020-21 fiscal year (July 1 – June 30th), with $7.5 million in outright gifts.

How did we accomplish this?

Our donors. This past year, donors continued their commitment to students through investing in scholarships and technology, as well as creating opportunities for every student who calls West Chester University home. Our donors funded hundreds of scholarships, awards, fellowships, and programs that support academic and co-curricular activities.

Leadership gifts continue to support the development of The Sciences & Engineering Center and The Commons, a 175,000 square-foot facility that will serve as a dedicated learning environment for the next generation of engineers, nurses, nutritionists, physicists, public health professionals, and scientists.

As we prepare to welcome students back to campus in the fall and make plans to celebrate the University’s 150th anniversary, we reflect on the inspirational and unwavering support of the benefactors of West Chester University; of their gifts, big and small; and of the bright future ahead.

On June 9, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education announced its 2021 Circle of Excellence Awards winners. West Chester University Foundation is the proud recipient of a Silver Award in the Special Events | Online (Fundraising) Category.

Seeking a silver lining in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, West Chester University Foundation developed a strategy to transform the annual President’s Circle Dinner into a unique event that would recreate moments of in-person camaraderie, networking, and recognition for loyal and annual donors in a virtual world.

A series of three virtual engagement opportunities, coined President’s Circle Socials, culminated in a President’s Circle Celebration and allowed donors from across the country to attend all events, or just one. The Socials featured a video message from the University President; two “mingle” rooms; a Foundation update; and a featured University speaker – there were even surprise visits from Rammy, the University’s mascot.

The President’s Circle Celebration featured student musicians, a Presidential State-of-the-University, a preview of the upcoming sesquicentennial anniversary celebration, recognition of new donor society members, and impact videos. The Celebration capitalized on the opportunity to reinforce the impact of our President’s Circle donor societies, while also continuing to celebrate and welcome new donors.

These peer-selected and adjudicated awards honor institutions worldwide whose talented staff have advanced their organizations through their resourcefulness and ingenuity.

Winners are selected based on several factors, including overall quality, innovation, use of resources and the impact on the institution or its external and internal communities, such as alumni, parents, students, and faculty and staff.

“This year’s CASE Circle of Excellence Awards highlight the creative, nimble, and innovative approaches our members bring to championing the success of their institutions,” says CASE President and CEO Sue Cunningham.

“Advancing education has never been more important, and the Circle of Excellence Awards celebrate the innovative work that has contributed to that vital societal outcome. This year, CASE member schools, colleges, and universities across the CASE global membership were faced with challenges that have never been seen before, and advancement professionals demonstrated their skills and sensitivity as they created inspiring and important work to engage their communities in entirely new ways.”

In 2021, CASE received almost 3,000 entries from 27 countries. Those entries came from 530 institutions for consideration across 100 categories.

About CASE:

CASE believes in advancing education to transform lives and society. As a global non-profit membership association of educational institutions, CASE helps develop the communities of professional practice that build institutional resilience and success in challenging times. The communities include staff engaged in alumni relations, advancement services, communications, fundraising, government relations, marketing, and student recruitment. CASE is volunteer-led and uses the intellectual capital of senior practitioners to build capacity and capability across the world.

CASE has offices in Washington, D.C., London, Singapore and Mexico City. Member institutions include more than 3,600 colleges and universities, primary and secondary independent and international schools, and non-profit organizations in 82 countries. CASE serves more than 90,000 practitioners. For more information about CASE, please visit https://www.case.org/.