We have reached a milestone in our university's 41-year history. Last September, UWF publicly launched its largest ever comprehensive fundraising campaign, Creating Great Futures, and announced its goal to raise $35 million by Dec. 31, 2010. Thanks to you, and the generosity of our alumni and friends, that goal has been surpassed. As of Dec. 1, 2008, $35.5 million has been raised. These funds will help support numerous priorities, including student scholarships, endowments and programs.

Last year, 38 percent of UWF faculty and staff contributed to the campaign. Your support was instrumental in helping us reach our campaign goal 27 months early and is testament of your dedication to UWF and our students. However, there's always good work to be done and UWF will continue to raise funds for scholarships, facilities and programs.

I encourage everyone to continue supporting the Creating Great Futures campaign. There are still many important goals to accomplish together, such as increasing the number of need-based endowed scholarships and first-generation scholarships for UWF students, as well as developing the Vice Admiral John H. Fetterman State of Florida Maritime Museum and Research Center.

There is no doubt in my mind that the impact of all of this wonderful support will extend far past this campaign and transform thousands of lives for years to come. Indeed, you are helping create great futures for UWF students. Please visit the campaign Web site for further news and updates: http://uwf.edu/greatfutures.

Sincerely,

Judy Bense

President, University of West Florida

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