Memorial University of Newfoundland today announced an update on the progress of Dare To: The Campaign for Memorial University.

To-date, over $62.8 million has been committed to the university in support of this campaign from alumni, friends, corporations and foundations, exceeding the campaign’s initial $50-million goal.

The overwhelming response to the Dare To campaign will enable Memorial to create substantially higher numbers of student scholarships, bursaries and awards now, and into the future. Thus far, 1,173 students have received new scholarships, bursaries and awards as a result of this campaign, with thousands more to receive funding support in future years.

In addition to support for students, Dare To has enabled Memorial to establish eight new research chairs and two new postdoctoral fellowships, as well as significant funding for research in a variety of key areas.

The university has also received support for various key infrastructure projects, including labs and research centres in various disciplines and across all three campuses in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“This campaign will have a positive impact on the lives of countless students and faculty for many years to come,” said Dr. Gary Kachanoski, Memorial’s president and vice-chancellor. “These gifts are making – and will continue to make – a difference in the quality of our students’ experiences and the breadth of the research we undertake at Memorial.”

“Many individuals and foundations, as well as a broad spectrum of industries, have confirmed their belief in the importance of Memorial University by committing financial support to the Dare To campaign,” said General Rick Hillier (Ret’d), Memorial’s chancellor and campaign chair. “Their support will enable us to continue to attract talented students, faculty and staff to our university."

The Dare To fundraising campaign is part of an overall redevelopment initiative at Memorial University totaling over $250 million. Campaign activity will continue into the fall of 2012, with a final update to be announced that time. For more information, please visit dareto.ca