October 27, 1999 For Immediate Release

The University of Northern British Columbia's Annual Giving Campaign has topped the $100,000 mark - more than three times the goal.

Annual campaigns give donors the opportunity to provide ongoing support to various university services. The UNBC annual campaign, for example, raises money for the Library, student services, and scholarships and bursaries. Most of the contributors to the annual campaign are individuals, small companies, original petition-signers, and founders:

• There were a total of 434 donations
• Gifts to the annual campaign ranged from $10 to $10,000
• The average gift in the 1998-99 annual campaign was $87

This year, Prince George realtor Bill Lynch provided the contribution that allowed UNBC to reach $100,000.

"Even though large contributors such as Canfor and Slocan receive media attention for their gifts to UNBC, it is the ongoing support from individuals with an interest in UNBC who sustain the long-term well-being of the University," says Ray Williston, who was the Founding Chair of the Annual Campaign. Mr Williston is a former MLA who set aside the University endowment land in the late 1950s and has been one of UNBC's key supporters during its development. "Anyone can contribute to the region's development and help the University and its students."

The Annual Giving Campaign is part of North to the Future: Building on Success, which is the University's second fundraising campaign. From 1992-98, the University raised $15 million for scholarships and bursaries, equipment, and the Library. Since June 1998, a further $1.1 million has been raised.