{"id":4134,"date":"2015-06-02T23:17:58","date_gmt":"2015-06-02T23:17:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/community\/?p=4134"},"modified":"2015-06-02T23:17:58","modified_gmt":"2015-06-02T23:17:58","slug":"wright-state-launches-150-million-campaign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/2015\/06\/02\/wright-state-launches-150-million-campaign\/","title":{"rendered":"Wright State Launches $150 Million Campaign"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"14428<\/a>Our namesakes, the Wright brothers, used ingenuity and innovation to make a lasting impact on the world. Today, we rise on their wings, prepared to shine, as we lift our university to new heights. Ahead, we see a bright future, one where Wright State is a new model for higher education: a public institution that is imaginative, unafraid to take risks, and nimble in adapting to the needs of a fast-changing world.<\/p>\n

To reach that future, we are embarking on Rise. Shine. The Campaign for Wright State University.<\/i><\/p>\n

A Night to Shine\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

On October 18, 2014, President David R. Hopkins announced Rise. Shine. The Campaign for Wright State University<\/i> to more than 600 students, faculty, staff, donors, and other special guests at the Wright State University Nutter Center.<\/p>\n

It was truly a night to shine as the Nutter Center was transformed into a dazzling landscape that included a glittering makeshift chandelier and a kaleidoscope of towering video screens.<\/p>\n

Eddie McClintock, a 1991 Wright State graduate who has appeared in numerous TV shows and most recently played the role of a Secret Service agent in the popular Syfy series Warehouse 13,<\/i> served as master of ceremonies.<\/p>\n

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Speed painter Aaron Kizer renders portraits of the Wright Brothers on the Rise. Shine. stage.<\/p><\/div>\n

Wright State performing arts students took to the stage to showcase their talents in singing, dancing, and music. Speed painter Aaron Kizer delighted the audience by painting portraits of university namesakes Orville and Wilbur Wright upside down and then flipping them right side up with a flourish. And there were poignant personal stories from Wright State students Emily Bingham, Aaron Palmer, and Ian Kallay.<\/p>\n

Academy Award\u2013winning actor, producer, and director Tom Hanks and Amanda Wright Lane, great grandniece of the Wright brothers, are spearheading the Rise. Shine.<\/em> campaign as co-chairs.<\/p>\n

In an impassioned speech, Wright Lane told guests: \u201cThe most important reason to be a part of the Rise. Shine. <\/i>campaign lies in the backpacking, parking space\u2013seeking humans who roam this campus daily, aka the students or the \u2018kids\u2019 of the Wright State family. This campaign\u2019s and this university\u2019s mission is to provide the tools for every student\u2019s success.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hanks, who could not attend the campaign launch due to a filming commitment, recorded a special video message for guests.<\/p>\n

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

The evening was capped off with the announce-ment that the university had already raised more than $107 million toward the $150 million campaign goal. This includes a record number of gifts from alumni. At least 10 Wright State graduates have each pledged $1 million or more to the Rise. Shine. <\/i>campaign.<\/p>\n

Our Time to Rise<\/b><\/h2>\n

As Wright State University approaches its 50th anniversary in 2017, we are already moving boldly into a new era of tremendous change, unprecedented challenge, and unlimited opportunity.<\/p>\n

\"Celebrate4\"<\/a>We are leading the way by continually evolving to deliver an education that is eminently relevant and financially accessible and that meets the changing needs of students, the real-world economy, and our collective future.<\/p>\n

Through the Rise. Shine. <\/i>campaign, we will level the playing field for our students, unveiling a world of possibilities and reachable dreams.<\/p>\n

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

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