McIntire School Fundraising Campaign Achieves Goal 17 Months Early

University News

McIntire School Fundraising Campaign Achieves Goal 17 Months Early

March 21, 2024 • By Brooke Braun, bbraun@virginia.edu Brooke Braun, bbraun@virginia.edu

(Photo by Sanjay Suchak)

Leaders at the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce announced recently that the school has surpassed its fundraising goal of $250 million, 17 months ahead of schedule.

Initiated in support of the University of Virginia’s $5 billion Honor the Future campaign, which itself met its fundraising goal early, the Commerce School’s own Inspire the Next Century campaign received an additional $74.5 million in UVA matching funds for a total impact of nearly $325 million. The University launched its matching program as part of a commitment to maintaining a leadership role in higher education and serving the common good.

“Accomplishing our goal early marks a significant achievement that propels McIntire into our next transformative era,” Nicole Thorne Jenkins, the school’s John A. Griffin Dean, said. “I would like to send my most sincere gratitude to our dedicated alumni, parents, corporate partners, staff, faculty, students and all contributors across the McIntire community and, at the same time, thank President (Jim) Ryan for his vision and collaboration throughout the entire process. The unprecedented generosity of our community has been an amazing catalyst for the Commerce School.”

Since the campaign’s start in 2019, coinciding with the University’s Honor the Future outreach, the range of undergraduate programs has grown, including a relaunch of the interdisciplinary leadership minor and the introduction of a general business minor created for non-commerce majors across the University. The school also launched the White Ruffin Byron Center for Real Estate as well as a minor in real estate. The latest addition to the portfolio includes Commerce Essentials courses, which are half-credit, online micro-courses delivering foundational business content.

A significant focus of the school in recent years has been the expansion of its Bachelor of Science in Commerce to a three-year undergraduate program, better aligning the student experience with employment recruitment cycles and evolving industry demands.

Donor support was a key driver for helping to launch Commerce for the Common Good, a schoolwide initiative to advance its vision of “developing global citizens who can transform commerce and society.” Highlights include need-based scholarships, signature courses focused on business and society, and an annual speaker series.

The school’s campaign will continue through June 2025. McIntire leaders say they plan to keep the momentum going by securing the philanthropic support needed to complete its comprehensive expansion project, a complete reimagining of the school’s physical footprint.

With the renovation of Cobb Hall; construction of a new building, Shumway Hall; and updates to Rouss and Robertson halls, the growing complex will open in 2025. Designed to welcome the entire University community, the project will include the development of expanded green spaces and a host of outdoor meeting areas.

“As the school’s array of programs undergoes innovation and growth through minors, curriculum updates, and a resurgence of global opportunities, additional unrestricted funding will allow the school the flexibility to make its portfolio of academic programs available to every UVA student,” Katie Whittier, associate dean for advancement, said.