Feb. 8, 2013: Surprising campaign news

Dear Bucknell Alumni and Parents,

I write to share with you exciting news about the comprehensive campaign and the message it sends about the contributions Bucknell makes to individual lives.

First, I want to thank all of you who have written me in the past two weeks about our recent statement on SAT errors. I received hundreds of letters in response to that notice, and while the dismay and anger this situation caused were evident in many of them, almost every letter, whether from personnel or students, alumni or parents, stressed that the individual's pride in Bucknell transcends any single matter. I hope you will find it reassuring that Bucknellians take the reputation and conduct of the University seriously and feel this strong appreciation for our mission. This is also an opportune time to share with you that on Tuesday U.S. News & World Report announced that it had concluded that the corrections in our data do not affect Bucknell's ranking.

As I was receiving the email responses to our announcement, a phone call came in from a devoted couple that expressed the same view as so many other Bucknellians, but with an exclamation point. They said that they wanted to make clear particularly at this time how important Bucknell was to them and offer a tangible reminder that its influence occurs in no single moment but by work that lasts a lifetime. And then they pledged $10 million to Bucknell. This extraordinary expression of support was unexpected in this situation to say the least.

This is the third-largest pledge ever made to the University. Including a handful of verbal commitments, it raises the total of gifts and pledges received so far for the half-a-billion dollar WE DO campaign to $272 million.

The couple that has made this wonderful gift prefers to remain anonymous for now. They have decided to allocate this gift to scholarship endowment, our top campaign priority. With this gift to scholarships, this couple is investing in opportunities that will transform the lives of generations of Bucknellians. Even beyond that, though, they have made a powerful statement about what the work of Bucknell and its faculty and staff means to so many. Their affection for their University symbolizes what is evident to Bucknellians everywhere — love for Bucknell is deep and profound.

Thank you for letting me share this news with you and for your interest in and support for your alma mater. WE DO believe in the future of Bucknell.

Sincerely,

John