The Ready, Set, Now Campaign public kick-off banquet is Monday, Nov. 18, at 7:30 p.m.  This will begin the second year of the two-year program to raise $4.85 million for USAO.

Campaign Assistant Chris Collins from the Development Office, a senior political science major, said that over the quiet phase of the campaign which took place Nov. 2012 to the present, 66% of the funds were raised.

“In terms of expectations we met all of our goals,” said Collins.  The faculty and staff campaign is completed, according to Collins, and the alumni and friends – people associated with USAO in some way – categories are about half done.

At the banquet, the donors will be recognized, several groups and individuals will be inducted into the donor honor roll, and the second phase will begin, said Collins.

The public phase will consist of more publicity for the campaign, said Collins.  Over this period, money will be solicited from different corporations, foundations, and individuals including alumni and friends.

The $4.85 million will be distributed to different projects.  According to Collins, there will be a new scholarship program intending to attract about 300 new students as well as new equipment and renovations in Austen Hall and Nash Library.  The university is also meeting with designers to work on landscaping for campus, Collins said.

“Hopefully the money will have a big impact on students and the university as a whole,” Collins said.