Most gifts were designated to support academic programs and student scholarships. Research grants, government grants and contracts are not included in the totals. Donald R. Feltner, vice president for institutional advancement , said the EKU 2000 initiative had helped focus the University's voluntary support effort and resulted in a significant increase in private support last year.
Private gifts enhance academic programs and help students meet the costs of their college education.
EKU consistently ranks among the nation's top regional universities in both number of alumni donors and amount of voluntary support received, according to Bill Abney, EKU director of university development . He noted that, according to the most recent report by the Council for Aid to Education, Eastern ranked first in the number of alumni donors and among the top 25 percent in gifts received.