A Banner Year For Fund Raising At Darden

Dec. 10, 1999 -- The announcement Friday that the University of Virginia's Darden Graduate School of Business Administration will receive a $60 million gift -- the largest ever contributed to a business school -- caps a record-breaking year for Darden's campaign.

The gift from Frank Batten Sr., the retired chairman of Landmark Communications, pushed Darden's fund-raising total for the year toward the $100 million mark, a 1,000 percent increase in two years. The gift followed by two weeks what had been Darden's previous record gift, a $13.3 million commitment from William H. Goodwin Jr. and his wife, Alice. A Darden alumnus, Goodwin is head of CCA Industries in Richmond.

Other major contributions received by Darden from its alumni this year include:

$10 million from George David, chairman of United Technologies Corp.

$1.5 million from Richard Mayo, a Boston money manager

$1 million from James Todd, a real estate developer in Washington, D.C.

Darden's recent graduates also have contributed to the school's fund-raising success. One hundred percent of graduates in the Class of '99 participated in their class gift, which Steven Oliveira, Darden's vice president for development and alumni relations, believes is a first in higher education. The school also has posted a 15 percent increase in support through the Darden Society, which comprises alumni and friends who make annual gifts of $2,500 or more.

The record year has propelled the Campaign for Darden well past its $100 million goal, which is now at $190 million with a year remaining. Oliveira said the campaign has made a dramatic impact on Darden and business education.

"Our facilities and technological resources are now among the finest in any business school in the world," Oliveira said. "The school truly has undergone a transformational change that will keep us very competitive in a highly demanding marketplace of ideas and business practices."

Contact: Phil Giaramita, (804) 924-3220

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: please contact the Office of University Relations at (804) 924-7116. Television reporters should contact the TV News Office at (804) 924-7550.
SOURCE: U.Va. News Services

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