OT: KU goal: $2.5 billion in private funds by 2028

Technically not hoops related, but this will get the most visibility here, so here it is.
LJWorld.com: KU sets goal to raise $2.5 billion in private funds by 2028 to fund major projects in Lawrence and beyond

LJW is normally a paywalled site now, but this looks like it is in front of the wall, so all should be able to read it.

I really, really like Chancellor Girod.
He hasn't been perfect, but overall he's been very. very good for KU.
I hope he plans to stay on the job for at least another 10 years (until he's 75), health permitting.

Rock Chalk!

Ever Onward!

Great promotional video!

ROCK CHALK!

Well, the heck with that.
I went back to double check, and discovered even if I log out of LJW I get automatically logged back in as I have an account.
Can't even log out to check if stuff is available to nonsubscribers on LJW (as I can on Rivals/JayhawkSlant).
Hmph!
Thanks for the note, USAF J!

Here's the gist of the article.

University of Kansas leaders have a big plan for the state’s flagship university, and new dollar goal to help make it happen: $2.5 billion.

KU Chancellor Douglas Girod announced the new fundraising campaign, Ever Onward, on Thursday evening.
Goal: raise $2.5 billion in private donations by 2028.
Largest campaign in KU history (Far Above hit $1.6 billion when it concluded in 2016).

Why and why now? KU has momentum in many areas and is facing a changing higher education landscape.

“If we are going to be what we need to be for our state, we have to accomplish this goal,” Girod told the Journal-World.
“You won’t recognize this university at the end of this campaign.”

To be funded are initiatives at:
Lawrence campus
KU’s medical school in Kansas City, KS
KU Health System, which operates health care facilities across the state.

KU leaders believe KU is on the cusp of becoming a renowned research institution in the battle against cancer, which could result in hundreds of millions of dollars in new research grants for the school.

ENROLLMENT
Fall class was largest in KU history
43% from out of state
BUT
HS graduates numbers to decrease starting in 2025 (more families with fewer kids)
So initiatives to boost enrollment, including increased marketing targeting students in and out of state
Got to grab more of what promises to be a shrinking market nationwide.

Girod mentioned these examples of campaign funds initiatives:

• Scholarships to make higher education more affordable.

• Making KUMC a national leader in Alzheimer’s research and treatment.

• A continuing initiative for more pay and benefits to university faculty and staff.

• The already underway $300 million-plus project to revamp KU’s football stadium, including adding a conference and convention center to the site. "The Gateway District"

• A joint project with Wichita St -- a new health campus in downtown Wichita providing a new home for KU's Wichita Med School students *and* space for KU’s pharmacy school and WSU's nursing programs and other health-related degrees.