USD announces major gift as 250 million dollars campaign launches
The first endowed chair in the history of the University of South Dakota’s Sanford School of Medicine has been established thanks to a $1 million gift from the estate of Dr. Karl Wegner. The initial recipient is Dr. Keith Hansen of Sioux Falls.
A second faculty chair will be endowed as the result of the generosity of Dr. Charley and Elizabeth Gutch. Their $3.7 million gift will establish the Charley and Elizabeth Gutch Chair. The late Dr. Gutch was associate dean of the Medical School from 1983-88. On retirement, he was named professor emeritus of the medical school.
Dr. John C. Sall committed more than $330,000 to establish the John C. Sall, M.D. Professorship in Medicine. This creates the first professorship in the history of the Sanford School of Medicine.
The announcement comes in advance of Friday evening’s expected release of the total raised during the leadership phase of the campaign at the Onward Red-Tie Launch Event. Nearly 700 University supporters, faculty and students will gather in the Muenster University Center to celebrate. A program will feature Gov. Dennis Daugaard, USD President James W. Abbott, Onward campaign co-chairs Tom and Nancy Gallagher, of Spearfish Canyon, S.D., and recent (2012) USD graduate and former Brandon, S.D. resident Cody Jamison Strand, star of “The Book of Mormon”on Broadway and on tour.
The most ambitious fundraising effort in the history of the University, Onward will create scholarships, professorships, educational enrichment opportunities and facilities improvements. The latter includes the USD Sports Performance Enhancement Complex — with a 6,000-seat basketball and volleyball arena and outdoor track — on which construction has begun; expansion of the USD National Music Museum; and renovations to the School of Law and the Warren M. Lee Center for Fine Arts.
The goal for the leadership phase of the campaign was set at $134 million — to exceed the $133,950,064 raised by Campaign South Dakota, which began in 2001 and concluded in 2007. “That’s a challenging goal that we are determined to meet,” Brown said. “Onward: The Campaign for South Dakota is a demonstration of unapologetic pride for our institution and its mission.”
For interviews or additional information, please contact
Betsy Rice, USD Foundation, (605) 929-9969, betsy.rice@usdfoundation.org
Phillip Carter, USD Marketing & University Relations, (605) 677-6258, phillip.carter@usd.edu
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