John Brown University in Siloam Springs on Thursday announced what it says is the largest capital campaign for a private university in Arkansas.
JBU's seven-year fundraising Next Century Campaign exceeded its $125 million dollar goal by $31 million dollars, receiving $156 million in gifts and pledges.
The news comes as the university celebrates its 100th anniversary this weekend during homecoming.
Through donations, JBU has been able to build or renovate eight facilities and fund programs in nursing, computer science, art, entrepreneurship, track and field and archaeology. More than $42 million of the $156 million is designated toward financial assistance for students through the JBU Scholarship Fund and endowed scholarships.
Campaign donors established 83 new endowed scholarships and increased 97 existing endowed scholarships, a total value of more than $13 million.
This was also the first JBU campaign that included estates for future gifts, which account for more than $30 million. Much of that will go toward scholarships.
