For the fourth year in a row, donors gave or pledged more than $200 million to the University of Arizona. With $264.7 million in gifts and commitments, fiscal 2017 was the second-highest fundraising year in University history. In fiscal 2015, the total was $293.5 million. 

“Steadfast generosity continues to make the UA a better and more accessible university,” said John-Paul Roczniak, vice president of development and chief development officer for the UA and president and CEO of the UA Foundation. 

Among the major gifts made between July 2016 and June 2017 was a $3 million gift from Tucson community leader Ginny L. Clements to assist with construction costs of Arizona Athletics’ new academic center. The 15,000-square-foot, two-story structure was built with additional support from donors including Andrew and Kirsten Braccia, the David Lapan family and Steve and Margot Kerr. 

Student-athletes now have dedicated spaces for private study and tutoring at the Ginny L. Clements Academic Center. 

“This building is making a huge improvement in the academics of student-athletes. Every day it’s a joy being here,” said Claire Green, a track and field student-athlete studying in the Eller College of Management. 

In November, UA leadership announced that the Arizona NOW comprehensive fundraising campaign, which began publicly in 2014, had reached its goal of $1.5 billion nearly two years ahead of schedule. 

“On the heels of this momentous achievement, our donors continue to step up,” Roczniak said. “They’re providing scholarships, funding research, enhancing infrastructure and building the UA’s endowment for future generations.”

Fiscal 2018 is off to a strong start for the UA and the UA Foundation, in terms of both fundraising and leadership, Roczniak said. 

“I expect we’ll make some exciting gift announcements this year,” he said. “In the meantime, I’m thrilled UA President Robert C. Robbins is among the new members to join the UA Foundation board.” 

As a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the UA through philanthropy, the UA Foundation is governed by a volunteer board of trustees. In addition to Robbins, four new members joined this year. They are: 

  • Carmen Bermúdez; Mission Management & Trust Co. Inc., Tucson
  • Gilbert Q. Davidson, Town of Marana
  • Michael F. Hannley, Bank of Tucson
  • David P. Skinner, Southern Arizona Urgent Care, Tucson 

The board’s directors elect officers to lead the organization. All board officers are continuing their terms. They are:

  • Chair: Richard H. Silverman, Jennings, Strouss & Salmon Attorneys at Law, Phoenix
  • Chair-elect: Ted H. Hinderaker, Hinderaker Rauh & Weisman PLC, Tucson
  • Secretary: Patricia A. Bartlett, BHI Energy Inc., Excel Scaffolding Inc. and Deltak Manufacturing Inc., Rancho Santa Fe, California.
  • Treasurer: Archibald M. Brown (retired), Merlin Inc., Tucson
  • Past chair: Thomas W. Keating, Trailhead Ventures, LLC, Tucson 

“It’s an exciting time at the University, and the UA Foundation’s leadership team is eager to make the most of it for the benefit of students, faculty, donors and the communities the UA serves,” Silverman said. 

Access the complete list of fiscal 2018 board members here