JBU Passes $100 Million Mark in Campaign for the Next Century

John Brown University announced today that more than $100 million in gifts and pledges have been made toward the $125 million Campaign for the Next Century.

The campaign is scheduled to be completed on the 100th anniversary of the university’s founding in September of 2019. To date, more than 13,200 organizations and individuals have given to the campaign.

“We are very grateful for the many people who have given generously to help us reach this milestone, knowing that all of those gifts help support JBU’s important mission to train students to honor God in service to others,” said Dr. Chip Pollard, JBU president. “From endowed scholarships for low income families to the successful launch of our new nursing program, we’ve already seen those gifts at work in the changed lives of students.”

The Campaign for the Next Century: A Hope and a Future has five funding priorities. More than $35 million will support endowed and annual scholarships. Another $32 million is expected to fund new facilities and critical renovations. As a part of the campaign, JBU has established an Endowment for Academic Excellence, supporting faculty research and similar efforts. The campaign will also provide $23 million for program and operating support for a broad set of JBU initiatives. Finally, JBU has set a goal to identify $25 million in estate gifts which, as they mature, will endow scholarships and programs, and support the university in other future needs.

“One of the wonderful things about the Campaign for the Next Century has been how we’ve been able to match the different giving priorities of our donors with a variety of exciting programs,” said Dr. Jim Krall, vice president for university advancement. “From sending students to Middle Eastern archaeology digs to modernizing our health complex, we’ve provided opportunities for donors to impact areas closest to their hearts.”

Some completed fundraising projects from the campaign include:
– $12 million Health Education Building and nursing program endowment – $6.5 million Simmons Great Hall venue
– $5.5 million renovation of historic J. Alvin Brown Hall
– $3 million Northslope Apartments for flexible university housing
– $5 million renovation of the Walton Lifetime Health Complex

Some current campaign projects underway include: – $10 million Scholarship Endowment
– $10 million Endowment for Academic Excellence – $25 million Estate Gifts for the Future

– $6 million Mayfield Hall Renovation

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked regional university (U.S. News Best Colleges, 2017), JBU enrolls more than 2,700 students from 40 states and 37 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, degree completion and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 39 majors, with top programs including business administration, graphic design, engineering, construction management, counseling, teacher education and nursing.