The University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) has reached a major milestone in the University of Iowa’s For Iowa. Forever More. fundraising campaign.

More than $100 million has been raised for the college by the UI Foundation since the campaign’s beginning in 2008. The college has a current goal of raising $120 million in private funding during the $1.7 billion campaign, which concludes in 2016.

More than 15,000 of the college’s alumni and friends have made gifts supporting CLAS students, faculty, staff, programs, and facilities during the campaign. These gifts support the college’s campaign goals for ensuring student success; advancing faculty teaching and research; supporting academic centers and programs; partnering with the state and university on facilities construction and renovation; and securing unrestricted funds that can be directed to areas of greatest need. Read more specific information on CLAS campaign goals.

CLAS Dean Chaden Djalali says that the college has reached the $100 million mark because of the generosity of contributors who recognize the importance of ensuring that the liberal arts and sciences remain a defining hallmark of a UI education.

“More than ever, the liberal arts and sciences are essential to providing students with the knowledge and skills that today’s employers require,” Djalali says. “Our students learn to communicate clearly and articulately, analyze and interpret cultural and scientific data, work with others to identify and solve problems, and adapt to changing and unpredictable circumstances.”

Djalali says that the impact of the gifts received is far-ranging.

“Every dollar we raise—whether for scholarships, for advancing the teaching and research of our professors, for building world-class facilities, or providing flexible resources to help us take advantage of nonbudgeted opportunities—enhances our students’ educations and our impact upon our state, nation, and world,” he says. “All of us in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are grateful for the hard work and leadership of the UI Foundation, our development staff, and our campaign chairs, Carl and Claire Stuart.”

The UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences comprises departments spanning the humanities, fine and performing arts, natural and mathematical sciences, and social sciences. All UI students complete their general education requirements in CLAS, which confers approximately 70 percent of all UI undergraduate degrees. Approximately 45 percent of students who earn graduate degrees from the UI study in CLAS departments. Almost 56 percent of students enrolled in CLAS are from Iowa, representing all 99 counties.

The UI Foundation is the preferred channel for private contributions that benefit all areas of the UI. For more information about the foundation and the campaign, visit the foundation website