St. Lawrence University launched The Campaign for Every Laurentian in an effort to raise $225 million. About 60 percent of that goal, $140 million, was completed over one weekend. From Oct. 25-27, the university’s Office for Laurentian Engagement invited over 350 alumni, parents and faculty to join the event held on campus in the largest fundraising campaign in history.

The campaign is aimed at funding four areas: Endowing Our Future, Learning for the Twenty First Century, The Power of Connections and Campus Stewardship. During the weekend, the university received the largest donation in history from Sarah E. Johnson and her parents, which included $25 million. Other large donations will be put towards renovating the original Herring library, as well as the renovation of Appleton Arena.

As a member of the Board of Trustees and the president of the university, William L. Fox played an integral role in the weekend and the campaign. The Campaign for Every Laurentian website reported that the money will “provide us room to innovate and deliver a twenty first liberal arts experience and ensure that St. Lawrence will continue to be one of the finest and most sought-after universities in the country,” said President William L. Fox in an interview on the campaign website.

Abbey Von Recklinghausen ‘19, a Biology major, attended The Power of Connections dinner, where she met Sarah Johnson. Sarah Johnson donated the Johnson Hall of Science, which was built in 2007. “She was incredibly well-spoken and kind, willing to speak to me about my career as a scientist and my time spent in Johnson,” Von Recklinghausen said.  “I can’t say I’ve ever met a St. Lawrence alumni who wasn’t helpful.”

In addition to alumni, faculty, and administration, there was involvement from parents and families. The university not only reached out to alumni for donations, but parents as well. St. Lawrence University contacted Dan Arment, the father of a St. Lawrence University student, to get involved in the campaign. “I see the Every Laurentian campaign as critical to advancing the broad education goals of the University,” said Arment. “It will help ensure St. Lawrence University continues to attract students seeking high quality, liberal arts education.”

The Power of Connections dinner was just one of the many events that took place over the weekend. Emily Sullivan ’19, Government major and French minor, also attended events throughout the weekend, saying that every alumnus was very open to helping St. Lawrence students like herself. As someone who attended the campaigns events, Sullivan categorized the experience as a success.