USD Celebrates a Successful Leading Change Campaign: $317.3 Million Raised

The University of San Diego celebrated the outcome of its successful Leading Change: The Campaign for USD, which raised more than $300 million, with a pair of on-campus events on Sept. 14.

The USD campus community was invited to the Paseo de Colachis grass area for a noon to 2 p.m. celebration. President James T. Harris and Associated Students Chief of Staff Elena Gonzalez spoke about the success and impact of the campaign in a short program. From there, all in attendance enjoyed free food, drinks, popcorn, ice cones and they could spin a wheel for USD beach balls, sunglasses, Frisbees and fleece pullovers. There were games such as Spikeball, Cornhole, Connect Four, Frisbee as well as balloon and caricature artists, a DJ, a photo booth and a Donor Thank You chalk wall so that students could write a message of thanks to USD donors.

Later Friday, a VIP campaign celebration program and reception was held at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice. Following a special 6 p.m. mass in Founders Chapel, guests gathered in the IPJ Theatre for the program. There, President Harris, flanked by USD students and USD President Emerita Mary E. Lyons, PhD, revealed the $317,336,988 total amount raised. Associated Students President Natasha Salgado and 2018 alumni Will Tate and Shea Ricketts each spoke about the impact of the campaign. Following the program, guests were treated to an outdoor reception with food stations, a band and more in the IPJ’s Garden of the Sea.

The celebrations beautifully capped off what has been a significant acheivement and as the largest fundraising campaign in the history of the university.

“As a student, an alumnus, a parent and a member of the Board of Trustees, I’ve experienced moments of tremendous pride for the University of San Diego. But right now, following my service as chair of Leading Change: The Campaign for USD, I can honestly say I’ve never felt more hopeful about my alma mater,” said James D. Power IV ’85. “We are indebted to every member of Torero Nation who joined us in our quest to make a lasting difference in the lives of our students by providing the financial aid, the program support and facilities that today’s students and tomorrow’s Toreros require to be the productive, energized and effective global citizens that our changing world requires.”

Several important numbers beyond the total amount raised during the campaign, too: There are 233 new scholarships created; a total of 105,023 gifts, including 10,607 from students, 20,336 first-time donors and $3 million from USD employees.

Check out more campaign By the Numbers figures as well as stories that connect the campaign to programs, people and more in the Fall 2018 USD Magazine issue.

— USD News Center

Photos by Nick Abadilla Photography