While other needed buildings on campus have been put on hold because of the current economic crisis, the continued planning for the Learning Center was made possible by The Duke Endowment's pledge of $35 million for medical education facilities. Since this will not cover the entire cost of the new facility, Dean Andrews hopes to raise at least $15 million for the Learning Center from medical alumni, who number about 12,500. A ceremonial launch of the Learning Center capital campaign is planned for Friday, Oct. 16, during Medical Alumni Weekend.
"Our medical alumni have a long tradition of supporting our students and Duke medical education," said Andrews. "As alumni come back for reunions over the next few years, we hope they'll be inspired to take part in this historic effort for our school."
The youngest medical alumni, the just-graduated Class of 2009, showed their support for the new Learning Center by contributing to the building fund as their graduation class gift. Sixty percent of the class contributed to the gift.
"As a class, we wanted to show our support and appreciation for Duke's commitment to its students and to advancing medical education" said Dr. Clay Ackerly. "The new building, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen the already strong DukeMed experience, embodies this commitment. We also appreciate how the administration has gone above and beyond to incorporate student input throughout the process."
Dr. Sandy Williams, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, says he hopes to inspire all the 2009 reunion classes, including his own Class of 1974, to direct special class gifts to support the Learning Center during Medical Alumni Weekend this fall.
"I know many of our alumni share my feeling that, as much as we cherish our memories of student life in the Davison Building, our students today and in the future need and deserve a contemporary home for medical education that better supports innovation in the learning environment," said Williams. "The Duke Endowment is making this possible by providing most of the funding, but alumni must play our role as well for the project to move forward. It's time for us to reach more deeply into our pockets this year for a capital gift, in addition to showing our loyalty through our Davison Club donations. I certainly will, and I know others will wish to join me."
Larger gifts will qualify for naming rights within the building. Naming opportunities begin at the $100,000 level, and more details about how alumni can participate will be unveiled during Medical Alumni Weekend, according to Jim Stangle, executive director of development and alumni affairs for the School of Medicine.
"This is the first opportunity medical alumni have had to be part of a building campaign for the School of Medicine, and we hope they'll be excited about it," said Stangle. "Not since the Duke family's initial investment has there been a chance for a benefactor to really transform the landscape of Duke's medical education campus."