CSIC to Rise. Shine. with kickoff celebration Feb. 26

After another record-breaking year in 2014, Wright State University’s annual Campus Scholarship and Innovation Campaign (CSIC) is ready to rise once again with a kickoff celebration on Thursday, Feb. 26, from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Student Union Atrium.

Faculty and staff are invited to join in the festivities with Wright State students, President David R. Hopkins and Amanda Wright Lane, great grandniece of the Wright brothers. Refreshments will be provided, and a few lucky winners will receive door prizes.

Inspired by the university’s $150 million fundraising campaign, Rise. Shine. The Campaign for Wright State 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 the opportunity to be part of this monumental campaign that will forever change the future of Wright State.”

Rise. Shine. The Campaign for Wright State 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 and Academy Award-winning actor Tom Hanks, the campaign has raised more than $110 million so far.

Like any previous CSIC, faculty, staff and retirees may choose among Wright State’s more than 1,600 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 2014, more than 1,630 faculty, staff and retirees committed $842,500 to Wright State’s scholarships and programs, shattering all previous fundraising records. In addition, 60 percent of full-time faculty and staff donated, resulting in the highest participation rate in Wright State’s history.

While Jones admits that it may be challenging to surpass the success of last year’s CSIC, she hopes the excitement 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 said. “Now is the time to come together once again to help Wright State rise, shine for generations to come.”

This year, Jones hopes to raise a minimum of $425,000 during the nine-week campaign with 55 percent participation among faculty and staff.

To learn more about the 2015 Campus Scholarship and Innovation Campaign or to make a gift online, visit rise.shine.wright.edu/csic.