Supporters of Wichita State University made $66.6 million in gift commitments in the fiscal year that ended June 30, marking the most successful fundraising year in the history of the WSU Foundation, which raises private funds to advance the university.

The fiscal 2018 total is $26.2 million more than the amount raised in the previous fiscal year and $10 million more than the Foundation's previous record of $56 million, pledged in fiscal 2016. It includes gifts of cash, gifts-in-kind, pledges and new planned gifts from donors age 64 and older.

“This extraordinary generosity from alumni, businesses and other supporters demonstrates their commitment to Wichita State's mission and their excitement about our future,” said Elizabeth King, WSU Foundation president and CEO. “Because of them, WSU is able to deliver the kind of education students need to be tomorrow's innovative leaders and career-ready workforce.”

Fiscal 2018 was the fifth year of the seven-year Shock the World Campaign, which ends in June 2020. The year was highlighted by several exceptionally large donations, including a $12 million gift from Wayne and Kay Woolsey. The Wichita couple designated that $10 million be used to help Wichita State build a new home for the W. Frank Barton School of Business. In recognition of this lead gift, the facility will be named Wayne and Kay Woolsey Hall.

Dorothy and Bill Cohen, two long-time supporters of Wichita State, gave an additional $2.5 million to the Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College, which bears their name in recognition of their initial investment of $5 million, made in 2015.

Other substantial contributions include $3.6 million from the Charles Koch Foundation to fund the Institute for the Study of Economic Growth at WSU; $1 million from the Give Something Back Foundation to provide full-ride scholarships for students with financial need; and $1 million from members of the Bastian family and their family-owned Fidelity Bank to support the new business school facility.

Planned gifts, which donors make through their estates, also are important to Wichita State and the Shock the World Campaign. In fiscal 2018, $4.1 million was received through planned gifts and $8.8 million was pledged by donors who will be 70 or older by the time the campaign ends in 2020.

“Wichita State is fortunate to have alumni and friends who are committed to this university's future,” said WSU President John Bardo. “Their unprecedented level of support represents a trust and confidence we value deeply.”

The value of all assets under the WSU Foundation's management is $342.7 million, as of June 30. That compares to $302.5 million at the end of fiscal 2017.

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The mission of Wichita State University is to be an essential educational, cultural and economic driver for Kansas and the greater public good. Wichita State is a doctoral research university enrolling nearly 15,000 students and offering 59 undergraduate degree programs in more than 150 areas of study in seven undergraduate colleges. The Graduate School offers 45 master's and 12 doctoral degrees that offer study in more than 100 areas. Wichita State's Innovation Campus is an interconnected community of partnership buildings, laboratories and mixed-use areas where students, faculty, staff, entrepreneurs and businesses have access to the university's vast resources and technology. For more information, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/wichitastate and Facebook at www.facebook.com/wichita.state.