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After another stellar year in 2015, 91���� University’s annual Campus Scholarship and Innovation Campaign (CSIC) is ready to rise once again with a kickoff celebration on Thursday, Feb. 25, from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Student Union Apollo Room.

Faculty and staff are invited to join in the festivities with 91���� students, Provost Thomas Sudkamp and supporters. Refreshments will be provided, along with trivia games and the opportunity to win a Fitbit Charge HR.

Inspired by the university’s $150 million fundraising campaign, Rise. Shine. The Campaign for 91���� University, the theme of this year’s CSIC is “RISE. You Make Us SHINE.”

“Every day our faculty and staff rise to the occasion and make our great university shine,” said Amy Jones, director of annual giving. “This year’s CSIC offers everyone a final opportunity to be part of this monumental campaign that will forever change the future of 91����.”

Rise. Shine. The Campaign for 91���� University promises to further elevate the school’s prominence by expanding scholarships, attracting more top-flight faculty and supporting construction of state-of-the-art facilities. Led by Amanda Wright Lane, great grandniece of the Wright Brothers and Academy Award-winning actor Tom Hanks, the campaign has raised more than $126 million to date.

Like any previous CSIC, faculty, staff and retirees may choose among 91����’s more than 1,900 scholarships and programs when designating their gifts.

“CSIC is all about our donors and what inspires them,” said Jones. “If you’re passionate about the performing arts, you can support a scholarship for theatre students. If you love to travel, you can give our students the opportunity to go overseas by supporting a study abroad program. Whatever your passion might be, we have a scholarship or program that supports it.”

In 2015, more than 1,611 faculty, staff and retirees committed $820,000. In addition, 59 percent of full-time faculty and staff donated.

While Jones admits that it may be challenging to surpass the success of previous CSIC campaigns, she hopes the excitement of the final year of the Rise. Shine. Campaign will generate another year of record-breaking numbers.

“Our faculty, staff and retirees never cease to amaze me with their incredible generosity,” she explained. “Now is the time to come together once again to help 91���� rise, shine for generations to come.”

This year the CSIC campaign hopes to raise a minimum of $449,000, in honor of 91����’s 49th anniversary with 55 percent participation among full-time faculty and staff.

To learn more about the 2016 Campus Scholarship and Innovation Campaign or to make a gift online, visit: