University of San Diego breaks $300 million fundraising goal, and sets enrollment record

The University of San Diego says it has far surpassed its goal of raising $300 million in private donations, and that it is experiencing record enrollment this fall.

The school received more than 105,000 donations collectively worth a record $317.3 million over an eight-year period during a campaign that was heavily influenced by alumni and long-term supporters.

The campaign ended over the summer. The campus recently released final figures.

The gifts included $20 million from USD Board Chairman Don Knauss and his wife Ellie, whose money is being used to help create a large complex for the School of Business. The $67 million center is expected to be completed in 2022.

USD also received $20 million from long-time supporter Darlene Shiley, who gave the gift in 2012 to help create the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering.

More recently, La Jolla philanthropists Raffaella and John Belanich gave $10 million to create labs and classroom space in the engineering school.

The largest overall amount of money raised in the campaign — $60.5 million — was donated in support of the entire campus, which has been growing steadily in recent years.

School officials said Monday that the university has 9,075 students this fall, breaking the previous record of 8,905, set only last year.

UC San Diego and Cal State San Marcos also are expecting to report record enrollment this fall.

“One of the major goals of this campaign was to increase scholarship funding for our students,” said James T. Harris, the president of USD. “Today, we have more funding than ever before to support USD student scholarships and the momentum continues.”

USD’s capital campaign fared well across many areas. Newly-released figures show that the university raised a total of $36.6 million for the School of Business and $35.8 million for the engineering school.

The School of Education and Leadership Sciences received $35 million, and the College of Arts and Sciences pulled in $34.6 million. The School of Law received $31.8 million. Torero Athletics pulled in $41.3 million.

The Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science received $23 million, and the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies got $5.3 million.

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