Both of these figures represent new records. During the current year, WPI is observing the 25th anniversary of the founding of this most generous group. A major new initiative of our office is to increase the university's visibility and recognition. We have developed a marketing strategy through which we will focus our energies on a limited number of specific target markets. In a parallel effort, we will work to place WPI before audiences when and where our message will not be drowned out by the marketing programs of other competing institutions.
Preparations are also under way for a new capital campaign.
While still in the early planning stages, it is already clear that this fund drive will be a volunteer effort of significant proportions. Trustees and other especially close friends will begin to solicit each other in the spring. Simultaneously, we will begin to organize class committees for an official major campaign launch, planned for the spring of 1998. Volunteers Make the Difference As hard as we work, the staff of the Office of University Relations cannot do the entire job of advancing the mission of WPI, raising resources to assure its continued growth and development, and serving the needs of our alumni. We depend on the energy, skills, knowledge and enthusiasm of a remarkable team of volunteers, including the men and women who serve on the Board of Trustees, the Executive Committee of the Alumni Association, the Alumni Council, the many Alumni Association working committees, and the Alumni Fund Board.