Chicago Convenes Marks Anniversary of Public Launch of The CHICAGO Initiative
April 11, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHICAGO - More than 250 of the University of Chicago's trustees, alumni, donors, and friends assembled on campus Thursday, April 10, 2003 to attend Chicago Convenes, a full day of events marking the one-year anniversary of the public launch of The CHICAGO Initiative.
The CHICAGO Initiative, the University's $2 billion, five-year capital campaign, has achieved notable success, securing more than $856 million in gifts and pledges in its first public year. In particular, the University's Board of Trustees has brought considerable energy to the Initiative, with gifts totaling $203.6 million, demonstrating unprecedented levels of involvement and individual giving.
In customary Chicago style, the event began with five symposia that offered a taste of the intellectual richness of the University. "Differences: What We Study, What Matters, and Why," "The Multiple Natures of Creativity," and "Code Orange: Responding to Terrorism" were among the big issues that were discussed by some of the University's stellar faculty, including Cathy Cohen, Professor in the department of Political Science and the College and Director of the Center for the Study of Race, Politics, & Culture; Richard Stern, the Helen A. Regenstein Professor Emeritus in the department of English Language & Literature; and Marvin Zonis, Professor of Business Administration in the Graduate School of Business. Afternoon tours included sneak previews of the new Comer Children's Hospital, the emerging Graduate School of Business campus, and the Ratner Athletics Center. The evening celebration included a presidential address by Don M. Randel followed by a lively question and answer session.
The event also offered the opportunity for the University to recognize leadership volunteers who are central to the success of The CHICAGO Initiative and Harper Society members. Named after William Rainey Harper, the University's first president, the Harper Society is an organization whose sole purpose is to honor Chicago's most generous supporters.
Edgar J. Jannotta, Chairman of the Board of the University of Chicago, serves as Chairman of the Initiative's Trustee Campaign Steering Committee, assisted by James S. Crown and Paula Wolff, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Other committee members are Andrew M. Alper, James S. Frank, Robert M. Halperin, Dennis J. Keller, Peter W. May, Harvey B. Plotnick, and Andrew M. Rosenfield.
