April 29, 1999
Contact: Charlotte Crystal
(804) 924-6858


U.VA. ENGINEERING SCHOOL RAISES CAMPAIGN GOAL TO $50 MILLION

	The University of Virginia's School of Engineering and Applied
Science has surpassed its previous campaign goal of $37.5 million and
today announced it has increased its goal to $50 million by the end of
2000.
	"Thanks to the incredible generosity of engineering school
alumni, corporate partners, foundations and friends we have far exceeded
the expectations of the original goal, set in 1995," said F. Hudnall
Christopher, a 1955 engineering school graduate and chairman of the
fundraising campaign. "However, more work remains. There are several
major new projects currently being considered that were not in the
original campaign plan but that present us with exciting opportunities
to advance teaching and research."
	The 33 percent jump in the fundraising goal comes as the school
expects to record about $45 million in gifts by the end of the year. The
school has received commitments for several million-dollar-plus gifts
from both companies and individuals over the past 12 months, including
The Whitaker Foundation, Allied Signal Inc., IBM Corp., Linwood A.
"Chip" Lacy, Jr., of Richmond, and Colgate Darden III, of Lexington,
S.C. Several more million-dollar gifts are likely in the near future as
well, said Thomas N. Connors, vice president for development at the
engineering school.
	Recent gifts have enabled the school to strengthen its faculty
by creating three new endowed chairs, the L.A. Lacy Chair in
Engineering, the Shirley Carter Olsson Chair in Ethics and the Brent
Halsey Visiting Chair in Chemical Engineering. Funds for student
scholarships also have been growing, but needs remain. In particular,
the school would like to add financial support to the Rodman Scholars
program, an honors program for exceptional engineering students who
pursue an enriched, intensive curriculum.
	There are continuing needs for state-of-the-art laboratory
equipment and facilities to attract research talent at all levels.
Recent overhauls of the curriculum for the Rodman program and other
courses also have demanded resources as have the school's continuing
efforts to attract a diverse 
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student body and launch new international initiatives. And there is an
ongoing need to supplement faculty salaries to attract and retain
outstanding teachers and scholars.	
	Founded in 1836, U.Va.'s School of Engineering and Applied
Science offers a diverse program in engineering education, with special
focus areas in information technology, technology in medicine,
microelectronics and semiconductors, and advanced materials.
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	For more information about the Engineering School campaign, call
Tom Connors at (804) 924-7509. Television reporters should call our TV
News Office at (804) 924-7550.