Preparing future leaders. Supporting outstanding educators. Building community. These are the primary goals of Guilford College’s new capital campaign, Advancing Excellence.

“The Advancing Excellence campaign can show how much confidence alumni and friends have in Guilford College,” said Kent Chabotar, president and professor of political science. “If we raise money and spend it on what matters in student learning and the academic program, we will increase our academic reputation.”

The campaign’s goal is to raise $60 million heading into December of 2013. The money will be divided up into endowment, capital projects, and annual funds. The program will provide funds for scholarships, faculty support, the renovation of Founders Hall, and other programs.

Advancing Excellence has already raised $42 million, according to the campaign website, and the school is pushing for more. Guilford is urging alumni and friends to donate, whether their gifts are large or small.

“Being a small liberal arts college, fundraising matters,” said Chabotar. “We would not exist without gifts. Student fees only cover 80 percent of our costs.”

Ty Buckner, associate vice president for Communications and Marketing, calls Advancing Excellence a comprehensive campaign because every gift is included in the 60 million. The goal of the campaign now is to broaden interest and excitement to people who are connected with Guilford.

“People need to know that their gift will make a difference,” Buckner said. “At Guilford College, with a program that shares the core values of the school, every gift will make a difference.”

This campaign does not just concern alumni, administrators, and faculty; it is about students and their academic experience as well.

“Students are a large stakeholder in this process,” said Assistant Director of Annual Giving Jill Hayes. “They need to be involved in this campaign as much as anyone. The value of a Guilford College degree increases when people see what Guilford is accomplishing and the reputation it is making in the community.”

In 2002, Guilford had a similar campaign called Our Time in History, which raised 56 million dollars and was the largest campaign in the school’s history. Advancing Excellence is looking to better that outcome and provide students and faculty with a new enhanced experience that still holds true to Guilford’s core values.

“The program promotes stewardship and excellence,” said Chabotar. “It makes sure Guilford survives and prospers so we can pass a legacy of practical liberal arts education grounded in Quaker testimonies to the next generation. Advancing Excellence is positioning Guilford College for the 22nd century.”

Guilford is operating at a disadvantage because of its small endowment compared to some of its peer colleges, as well as the hard economic times of the last few years. The program’s plan is to have the endowment amount total around 30 million dollars to position Guilford to thrive in years to come.

“A lot of Advancing Excellence will be in the future and may not benefit some people directly,” said Buckner. “However, sustaining and improving Guilford over time is vital for the school and the community.”

According to the campaign pamphlet, the funds raised from Advancing Excellence will go into programs such as study abroad, principled problem solving, and athletics. This is all being done to attract the best and brightest students. The message now is to get on board.

“This is your time to get involved with Guilford,” Hayes said. “We offer a competitive environment for education to enhance the student experience. We promise great expectations, and with Advancing Excellence, we will deliver on those promises for years to come.”