Interim President Dan Bernardo wrote in a press release Monday some of the statistics of the $1 billion campaign celebrated by the university on Sept. 18.

“With the official party behind us, though, it is important to understand just how lasting the transformation sparked by this campaign will be,” he wrote.

More than 206,000 donors gave more than 819,000 gifts, grants and other contributions, which totaled $1,065,091,919. Of that total, $338 million was raised to support WSU students with scholarships and fellowships.

“For some students, that money will mean the difference between completing a degree or not,” Bernardo wrote. “Given all we know about the value of a higher education, these funds benefit not only the students who receive a hand up, but also their families for generations to come.”

Additionally, $383 million was raised for faculty and research. Sixty-two new endowments to support research have resulted from the funds.

“With faculty focused on tackling some of the thorniest challenges society face – sustainable resources, healthier humans, national security – the additional opportunities for success these funds provide have the potential to literally improve the quality of life for human kind,” he wrote.

Bernardo said that the success of the campaign is largely due to the vision and drive of the late President Elson S. Floyd.

“It was he who set the goal of $1 billion, stating that all of the ‘big time’ universities do billion dollar campaigns,” Bernardo wrote. “It was he who personally raised some of the largest gifts comprising the $1 billion total. And it was he who kept us focused and energized to reach the target.”

The press release closed with gratitude for all who contributed and participated.

Reporting by Lance Lijewski