{"id":33864,"date":"2014-10-16T16:11:51","date_gmt":"2014-10-16T20:11:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/?p=33864"},"modified":"2014-10-20T10:57:40","modified_gmt":"2014-10-20T14:57:40","slug":"wright-state-university-announces-150-million-fundraising-campaign-featuring-academy-award-winning-actor-tom-hanks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/2014\/10\/16\/wright-state-university-announces-150-million-fundraising-campaign-featuring-academy-award-winning-actor-tom-hanks\/","title":{"rendered":"Wright State University announces $150 million fundraising campaign featuring Academy Award-winning actor Tom Hanks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hollywood superstar Tom Hanks will help lead a $150 million fundraising campaign for Wright State University that promises to further elevate the school\u2019s prominence by expanding scholarships, attracting more top-flight faculty and supporting construction of state-of-the-art facilities.<\/p>\n

Rise.Shine. The Campaign for Wright State University<\/a> was formally announced by President David R. Hopkins on Saturday, Oct. 18, before 600 students, faculty, staff, donors and other special guests at the Wright State University Nutter Center.<\/p>\n

\"Wright<\/a><\/p>\n

A total of $107,488,678 in gifts and pledges has already been raised, including a record number of gifts from alumni. At least 10 Wright State graduates have each pledged $1 million or more to the campaign.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis campaign is all about student success. It will change Wright State forever and the generation of students to come,\u201d said Hopkins. \u201cIt\u2019s going to grow our prominence and relevance in 21st century education.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the public launch of the campaign, the arena floor of the Nutter Center was transformed into a dazzling landscape that included a glittering makeshift chandelier and a kaleidoscope of towering video screens.<\/p>\n

Serving as master of ceremonies was Wright State graduate Eddie McClintock, who has starred in numerous television shows and most recently\u00a0played the role of a Secret Service agent in the popular Syfy series “Warehouse 13.”<\/p>\n

\"Wright<\/a>

Wright State University President David R. Hopkins,\u00a0left, with 1991\u00a0graduate and TV\u00a0star Eddie McClintock, who served as the master of ceremonies at the Rise.Shine announcement.<\/p><\/div>\n

Singers, dancers and musicians also took to the stage. An artist delighted the audience by painting portraits of the Wright brothers upside down and then flipping them rightside up with a flourish. And there were poignant personal stories from Wright State students Emily Bingham, Aaron Palmer and Ian Kallay.<\/p>\n

In its young life of 47 years, Wright State has become a shining star among Ohio universities, boasting two campuses totaling 730 acres and populated with more than 60 buildings.<\/p>\n

Even more impressive, Wright State’s success has been built on the brains and work of thousands of alumni who became the first member of their families to graduate from college. To date, Wright State has produced more than 110,000 graduates.<\/p>\n

Wright State Provost S. Narayanan said the campaign will increase the value Wright State gives to its students, making them even more career ready and competitive in the job market.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re excited about the campaign because of the difference it will make to the students, their success and the future of the institution,\u201d Narayanan said. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be a lasting legacy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Great<\/a>

Amanda Wright Lane, great grandniece of the Wright brothers, spoke passionately about how Wright State lives up to the spirit of her family’s name.<\/p><\/div>\n

Spearheading the Rise.Shine. campaign are co-chairs Amanda Wright Lane, great grandniece of university namesakes Wilbur and Orville Wright, and Hanks, Academy Award-winning actor, producer and director.<\/p>\n

Hanks, who is currently working on the Steven Spielberg-directed film \u201cSt. James Place,\u201d recorded a video message for guests attending the campaign launch.<\/p>\n

\u201cWright State is a rising leader in 21st century higher education,\u201d Hanks said. \u201cFrom groundbreaking research to world-class fine and performing arts, this university truly has a mission that matters.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hanks, who has starred in blockbuster films such as \u201cForrest Gump,\u201d \u201cApollo 13\u201d and \u201cSaving Private Ryan,\u201d has given a glowing endorsement of Wright State\u2019s theatre and the arts programs in the past.<\/p>\n

Wright Lane said she is proud to be co-chairing the campaign.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe most important reason to be a part of the Rise.Shine. campaign lies in the backpacking, parking space-seeking humans who roam this campus daily, aka the students, or the ‘kids’ of the WSU family,\u201d Lane said. \u201cThis campaign’s and this university’s mission is to provide the tools for every student’s success.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Center<\/a>

The Nutter Center center court was transformed for the gala into a grand dining room that stunned\u00a0guests as they entered the space.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Rise.Shine. campaign will generate funds for numerous initiatives on campus, including:<\/p>\n