The University of Nevada, Las Vegas announced today that its Invent the Future campaign has raised more than $400 million — 80 percent of the total goal of $500 million. As of Dec. 31, 2007, the Invent the Future campaign has raised $199,558,959 in gift revenue received, and $202,510,999 in gift intentions, for a total of $402,069,958.

"This accomplishment is a testament to this community's dedication to UNLV," said Don Snyder, campaign co-chair. "The most remarkable measure of our success is how we have been able to involve and engage our alumni and friends as partners in this effort."

"The impact of the Invent the Future campaign is visible across our campus, especially in the enhanced quality of our academic programs" said UNLV President David B. Ashley. "The campaign is truly instrumental in creating a future where the best and brightest students have the resources they need to accomplish their educational goals."

In the current fiscal year (beginning July 1, 2007), alumni and friends have committed more than $57 million to UNLV programs, including:
o $30 million from the Harrah's Foundation to help launch the concept of INNovation Village in the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration.
o $1 million from the Bernard Osher Foundation dedicated to scholarships for students returning to full-time university education.
o $1 million from MGM MIRAGE for the MGM MIRAGE Academic Excellence Scholarship Endowment benefitting National Merit(R) scholars.
o More than $16.9 million for other scholarships and fellowships.
o More than $4.6 million for programs like the International Gaming Institute, the Black Mountain Institute, film studies, chemistry, FIRST Robotics and dozens of others.

The UNLV Invent the Future campaign, the largest effort of its type in Nevada history, continues to focus on endowments that assist with recruitment and retention of top students and faculty; funds to provide enhanced learning opportunities through scholarships, fellowships and other programs; and funds to develop innovative learning environments through new and renovated facilities and special equipment. For additional information, please visit <a href="http://campaign.unlv.edu/">http://campaign.unlv.edu</a>.

Editor's Note: View <a href="http://publicaffairs.unlv.edu/PDF/newReleaseRelated/campaign-dec07.pdf">... breakout (PDF)</a> of campaign totals.