The University of Nebraska Foundation announced a record $343 million in philanthropic gifts and commitments in the fiscal year that ended June 30, marking the second consecutive year of more than $300 million in new funds committed to benefit the University of Nebraska.

Gifts were directed to the University of Nebraska according to donors’ designations. Alumni, friends of the university, foundations and corporations make up the 46,639 donors who gave during the year.

“The University of Nebraska is in a remarkable position of strength as we look to the future, thanks to private and public partners whose investment in their university truly makes all things possible,” said Ted Carter, president of the NU system. “Our generous and visionary donors extend the university’s reach even further, helping to make higher education a reality for thousands of students and growing the impact of our research and service. The entire university family is grateful to our philanthropic partners for all they do for our 52,000 students.”

Private support given created new scholarships, created faculty chairs and professorships for the recruitment and retention of top faculty, provided support for academic and athletic programs, furthered research, helped care for patients, and constructed facilities for teaching, research and service. Among the University of Nebraska–Lincoln areas that benefited from private support this year were:

Engineering

• Gifts were received to create scholarships and expand facilities for the next generation of engineers. Lance C. Pérez, dean of engineering, said the investment being made to construct Kiewit Hall represents the first time in a generation that the university will have a dedicated facility for teaching engineering. The university offers the state’s only nationally accredited engineering degree program.

• A new chair in biological systems engineering was created to recognize and support the work of Angie Pannier, who researches DNA vaccines, tissue engineering and gene delivery systems. The chair provides an annual stipend to be used by Pannier and the students in her lab exploring new research.

Agriculture

• The donation of 2,147 acres of ranchland in Hayes County will be used for outdoor learning, emphasizing range management and beef cattle production. Larry Gossen, dean of technical agriculture, said the gift will help students learn the care of cattle and how to manage healthy and productive pastureland.

• C.Y. Thompson Library was transformed into the technology-rich Dinsdale Family Learning Commons. The building offers active and quiet places for students to study, and the second floor houses the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program. Michael Boehm, vice chancellor of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said the Dinsdale Commons is a cornerstone of East Campus and a powerful reminder of the university’s commitment to IANR and Nebraska agriculture.

Business and Law

• Six faculty chairs were created in the College of Business and renovations began on the College of Law Library.

Arts and Humanities

• Gifts were received to support Sheldon Museum of Art, the Great Plains Art Museum, the International Quilt Museum, and photojournalism.

Athletics

• Gifts were received to support Athletics’ GoB1G project and Campus Recreation’s Outdoor Adventures program.

Student support was a priority for many donors, and more than 10,000 students across the university system received privately funded scholarship awards in the past year. Learn more here.