RISE. SHINE.

Those are the words of the next 2 years as we all work to advance funding for scholarships, programs, faculty, and capital through donor and alumni gifts and support. The Public Launch of the Rise. Shine. Campaign for Wright State University was held this past Saturday and it was a night to remember! The McLin Gym and the Nutter Center were transformed - Transformed - for the celebration where President Hopkins announced the $150 Million goal of the campaign. We heard from our Campaign Co-Chairs Amanda Wright Lane, in person, and Tom Hanks, via video, and we celebrated our students as they performed and spoke to the gathered audience of 700. And then Rowdy came out in a tuxedo and provided the biggest surprise of the evening - that we had already raised $107,488,678 toward our goal! Sarah Woodhull, Jennie Buckwalter, Linda Caron, and I were there to thank our donors that helped CoLA raise $17,067,696 of the total so far. The Master of Ceremonies was Communication alum Eddie McClintock, and CoLA student Emily Bingham, English, was poised as she told her poignant story of how important scholarship support is to her in the completion of her degree. Our students were seen everywhere as they performed before, during, and after the event. It was a night to remember as we thanked our donors, celebrated how far we have come, and launched the next phase of the campaign that will involve events in 9 cities across the nation. Rise. Shine.