TCNJ

14 Investing in OUR FUTURE GIFTS Every year at TCNJ we seize opportunities to extend our mission to prepare students to "sustain and advance the communities in which they live." The impressive achievements of our students and graduates speak to TCNJ's standing as a national exemplar of the very best in public higher education. Yet we can only continue to achieve excellence by investing in our future. TCNJ's stakeholders joined together to do just that in Fiscal Year 2012, making it our second-most successful fundraising year ever. TCNJ received nearly $7 million in gifts and commitments between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012—an increase of more than 60 percent over FY '11. Alumni, faculty, and staff participation in annual giving increased during FY '12, while donations from corporations, foundations, and associations increased by more than 70 percent over FY '11. As a community, we are grateful for all contributions, regardless of size, as they provide support for promising students, fuel high-impact learning, deepen our engagement with the world, and enrich the student experience. Here are a few recent gifts that are enabling the people of TCNJ to fulfill their potential and take up the charge of improving the world. A Class of 1969 graduate, who requested anonymity, made a $500,000 bequest in support of scholarships and TCNJ's library. The gift was one of four planned giving commitments totaling more than $2.5 million made in FY '12. Two additional supporters made anonymous bequest commitments valued at $1 million each. Retired kindergarten teacher Marilyn (Grinwis) Gray '48 continued her support of the School of Education with a $25,000 gift during FY '12. In recognition of Ms. Gray's sustained support, the Early Childhood Education Classroom in the Education Building was named for her. During FY '12, the Surdna Foundation gave the first half of a two-year, $450,000 commitment in support of the Sustainable Jersey Program at TCNJ. The Alfred Harcourt Foundation provided more than $250,000 for scholarships and the Educational Opportunity Fund Program. Bristol-Myers Squibb gave $20,000 in support of the Mentored Undergraduate Summer Experience, Wells Fargo donated $20,000 to TCNJ's Bonner Community Scholars program, and Novo Nordisk entered into a three-year, $60,000 agreement to be a major sponsor of TCNJ Athletics. The past fiscal year saw the completion of a $100,000 endowment fund in support of the softball program; this resulted in the renaming of the field for Dr. June Walker. Meanwhile, more than 250 Class of 2012 members contributed to an endowed scholarship that supports student leaders. In all, 12 new endowment funds were established last fiscal year. As we invest in TCNJ's future, we are investing in our students' futures—and we are protecting and advancing a vital asset of the State of New Jersey and society at large.

• Cover