žžÀ²

Mission and History

Philanthropy and alumni engagement are at the heart of žžÀ² State and have been since the university's founding on donated farmland in 1910.

Our Mission

Engage and inspire alumni, friends and partners to connect with žžÀ² - and its students - by giving of their time, talent and treasure.

Our Vision

Foster a robust and dynamic network of engaged partners who grow the culture of philanthropy at žžÀ² State, transforming lives and making the world Forever Brighter.

Our Values

  • Respect, Kindness and Purpose

  • Community

  • Transforming Lives

  • Freedom of Expression and Idea Exchange

  • Continuous Improvement

Our Story

Philanthropy and alumni engagement at žžÀ² State traces its roots to the university's very first decade of existence, and continues to grow in the 21st century. The donation of land in 1910 by William S. žžÀ² to construct the žžÀ² Campus and the formation of the žžÀ² Alumni Association in 1911 sparked a journey that has led to the recent completion of a $380+ million fundraising campaign, nearly 300,000 alumni and more than a dozen alumni groups.

Together, the žžÀ² Foundation and the žžÀ² Alumni Association and their boards of directors work with and support the Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement to grow vital philanthropic support for the university and to connect alumni with their alma mater.

Timeline

1910-1949

May 1910 
Lowry Bill authorizes the creation of two new schools in northern Ohio to train elementary school teachers

1910 
William S. žžÀ² donates 53 acres to establish the žžÀ² State Normal School, which is named in his honor

1911
žžÀ² State’s first president, John E. McGilvrey, establishes the žžÀ² Alumni Association (KSUAA)

September 1913 
The žžÀ² State Normal School begins its first full academic year on the žžÀ² Campus

1914
First class graduates; a faculty committee for alumni relations and several alumni clubs are formed

1933 
The KSUAA petitions Ohio state legislators to prevent the closing of žžÀ² Normal College and its transformation into an in-patient health facility

1935 
žžÀ² Normal College evolves into a university

1950-1999

1954
The žžÀ² State State University Development Fund is created to encourage alumni to give back to their alma mater

1965
The žžÀ² Foundation is established as the university formal fundraising division

1965
First alumni chapter is established

July 1, 1967-Dec. 31, 1968
18-month fundraising drive brings in gifts from 3,108 alumni (38,000 total alumni at the time)

1971
The Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (now NEOMED) is established

1973
The foundation reaches a record $1 million in contributions

1983
Annual contributions exceed $4.8 million

1988
Renovations begin on the historical Curtiss House, residence of žžÀ² State presidents since the 1940s, to transform it into the Williamson Alumni Center

1991
Carol Cartwright joins žžÀ² State as the university’s 10th president and spearheads the initiation of the Founders Scholars Program

1997
The Campaign for žžÀ² State begins under President Carol Cartwright

2000-Present

2003
The Campaign for žžÀ² State concludes, bringing in $122 million in support

2009 
The Centennial Campaign is launched with a goal of $200 million

2010
The Centennial Campaign concludes, with a total of $265 million

2016
The Center for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement is constructed at 350 South Lincoln

2021
The Forever Brighter Campaign is launched with a goal of $350 million

2023 
The Forever Brighter Campaign concludes, raising $380+ million

© 2025 žžÀ² All rights reserved.