SPARTANBURG – Wofford College raised a record $19.6 million in gifts in 2006, $5 million more than the 2005 record year – putting the $105 million Campaign for Wofford at nearly $80 million three years before the campaign’s end, the college reported.

In addition, $7.5 million in pledges were received in 2006, and more than 40% of Wofford’s alumni participated in giving last year, the first time the college has reached that level since 1998.

“Wofford’s growing national reputation along with the generous gift support of thousands of individuals is eloquent testimony to the hard work of both faculty and staff.  We aim to offer nothing less than the finest liberal arts education in America,” Wofford President Benjamin B. Dunlap said.

Wofford saw the completion of the campaign to garner $8 million for the restoration and renovation of Main Building, and the college recently celebrated the reopening of Main and its historic Leonard Auditorium.

In addition, the record year allowed Wofford to create 31 new endowed scholarships and one new endowed professorship, plus generous support for numerous other programs. 

In 2006, Wofford trustee Ed Reeves announced a new challenge gift.  The Reeves Family Foundation pledged $1 million if Wofford raises $2 million by May 2008, with all funds to be used to establish new endowed professorships. This is the second challenge offered by the Reeves Foundation; the first, which produced nearly $4 million, also established endowed professorships.