University of Miami launches second major fundraising campaign

In a five-story simulation hospital, students dressed in surgical scrubs tend to a lifelike pregnant robotic mannequin, monitoring her vital signs and counting her contractions. On Virginia Key, scientists crank up the airstream in a state-of-the-art wind-wave-storm surge simulator, getting a better understanding of the dynamics of hurricanes. In a new experiential music building, students use state-of-the-art multimedia and interactive technology to create a new sound of music. And a kinetic buzz fills a new three-level Student Activities Center, where different organizations such as the student body government and a center dedicated to community service and outreach conduct strategy meetings.

Such is a glimpse of what's in store for the University of Miami within the next four years now that it has launched its second major fundraising campaign in the past ten years.

Momentum2: The Breakthrough Campaign for the University of Miami will raise a towering $1.6 billion by the year 2016, transforming the face of a still-young institution yet again with new buildings and labs to prepare tomorrow's medical and scientific masterminds, scholarships for students who might not otherwise be able to attend college, and a brand-new group of talented and ambitious researchers and scholars with the knowledge to not only study global problems, but also solve them.

The campaign, which celebrated its public launch on February 16 at BankUnited Center during a ceremony attended by several hundred donors, trustees, and top UM administrators, is off to a breakneck start, with $906 million already raised.

Source: University of Miami