Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

April 18, 2003

Greenlee school reaches $18 million campaign goal

by Jason Menke, ISU Foundation
The Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication has completed an $18 million fund-raising campaign that was initiated in 1998 with a $9 million matching gift from Robert and Diane Greenlee, Boulder, Colo. The Greenlees are Iowa State alumni.

The $18 million campaign will support a variety of education priorities including increasing the scholarship program for undergraduate and graduate students; providing program support for student-learning opportunities and faculty development; creating professorships and named chairs to support leading faculty; and renovating Hamilton Hall. Many of the gifts are pledges and deferred gifts that will be realized in future years.

"The resources provided by this campaign already are giving a tremendous boost to our students, staff and faculty," said John Eighmey, chair of the Greenlee School. "Annual scholarship awards have increased from $35,000 to more than $120,000. The Greenlee School now utilizes one of the most advanced all-digital television studios in the nation, and this June we will complete a much-needed renovation of Hamilton Hall.

"Everyone here is greatly appreciative of the support provided by more than 1,800 alumni and friends who generously gave to the Greenlee School. This support will bring ISU's journalism and communication program to a new level," he added.

The Greenlees said Eighmey's leadership was key to the campaign's success.

"Dr. Eighmey served the new school with dignity and vision, and thanks to his tireless efforts, we have reached this milestone," said Robert Greenlee. "Iowa State will continue its reputation of having a premier journalism and communication program."

"We want to be involved in ventures that give people a chance to excel, to succeed," said Diane Greenlee. "Iowa State encompasses the American Dream. It gives people that chance."

The Greenlee School is the largest and most comprehensive journalism and communication program in Iowa. It has 24 full-time faculty positions to serve 1,066 undergraduate students and 32 graduate students.

Undergraduate enrollment in the school has increased more than 30 percent since the naming of the Greenlee School in 1998, and the school is now the third largest undergraduate program at Iowa State.

Gifts for the campaign were made through the Iowa State University Foundation, a private, non-profit corporation that secures and manages gifts and grants to the university.