Fund raising

Brett Huebner
University of South Florida
Wall Street Journal
“I don’t know if that could be statistically proven (that success leads to more donations), but being a young university — we’re only 50 years in existence with a football program that is just over 10 years — I think we’re beginning to scratch the surface. And I think having the success we’ve had has attracted interest from the community.”

Kenneth E. Peacock, chancellor
Appalachian State University
The Chronicle of Higher Education
“Fund raising is the only way to close the gap between the programs at the top of college sports and the rest of us.”

R. Gerald Turner, president
Southern Methodist University
The Chronicle of Higher Education
“There’s just so much money around athletics programs. When there’s all that money, you have to worry about people who care nothing about the institution but are absolutely devoted to that program’s winning.”

William Muse, former president
Auburn University
The Chronicle of Higher Education
“When people contribute big bucks, sometimes they expect to provide not only advice, but direction. I suspect it’s human nature to feel if you’ve given a whole bunch of money, you not only want to be listened to, but want whatever suggestions you’ve made to be implemented.”

Billy Joe “Red” McCombs, co-founder
Clear Channel Communnications Inc.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
“At the end of the day, the development people have to stay totally focused on the student, the student, the student. They have to build their story around what kinds of gifts benefit the student, because that’s what donors want. They’re not interested in buildings, in statues, they’re interested in the student. And I think as long as development people stay focused on that, and how you can help the life of another student or students, then they’ll be successful.”