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Alumni Relations
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Throughout its history, Salem State has been a pioneer. When it comes to Meet the Moment®, that legacy continues.
The transformational $75 million campaign is the largest in Massachusetts’ state university history, positioning Salem State to holistically meet the needs of its students and the workforce demands of the North Shore region.
PUBLIC LAUNCH EVENT
On May 6, 2023, Salem State University, in partnership with the Salem State University Alumni Association and Foundation, Inc., announced the public launch of the campaign.
That evening, approximately 400 community members came together to learn more about Meet the Moment®. An immersive 180-degree screen enveloped a captivated audience inside the O’Keefe Sports Complex where community members shared stories of impact and persistence.
A dramatic Kabuki fabric drop closed the program, revealing a series of interactive booths that encouraged guests to mingle among students, faculty and staff who were enthusiastically presenting their work. From elaborate costume displays by the theatre and speech communication department to a recreated Esports lounge, the university’s programs and initiatives were on full display.
It was the culmination of years of work put forth by the university community, highlighting the success of Salem State and its investment in Meet the Moment®.
COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER
With collaboration at the forefront, identifying the campaign’s funding priorities led the way for Salem State to build the university’s strategic priorities, resulting in the next iteration of the university’s five-year strategic plan: Meeting the Moment. The campaign and strategic plan came together in organizational alignment to better serve Salem State’s hardworking students, providing resources to advance initiatives that set Vikings on a path to lifelong success.
“Salem State faculty and staff go to great lengths to support students, and we’ve seen extraordinary collaboration across campus in establishing the campaign’s priorities and funding opportunities,” said Ryan Fisher, PhD, professor of biology and member of the campaign steering committee.
Engaging the community and putting into motion the hard work and investment of hundreds of faculty, staff, students, volunteers, alumni, donors, and friends became a testament to Meet the Moment®.
“Working with our community to build our campaign’s case for support has shown us just how much enthusiasm there is at Salem State and its efforts around student success,” said Mandy Ray, vice president of advancement and executive director of the Salem State University Alumni Association and Foundation, Inc.
The collective support for the Meet the Moment® campaign enables the university to meet the evolving needs of students and provide them with the resources, experiences and real-world training they need to succeed.
CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES
Meet the Moment® dramatically enhances student financial assistance, integrates even more innovative student programming, provides flexible unrestricted support to respond to emerging needs, and modernizes and unifies campus. Through the Meet the Moment® campaign, we envision what’s possible for the next chapter in our history.
Student Success: $25 Million
Student Financial Assistance: $20 Million
Unrestricted Support: $20 Million
SSU BOLD: $10 Million
CAMPAIGN TIMELINE
Thank you to the over 7,000 donor who have made a gift to the campaign so far.
2020
FEBRUARY
The Salem State University Alumni Association and Foundation, Inc. and Board of Trustees voted to enter the largest comprehensive campaign in Salem State’s history.
MARCH
Salem State focused fundraising efforts toward the Student Emergency Fund at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021
JANUARY
The Viking Completion Grant Endowment was established through a $6 million gift from Kim Gassett-Schiller ’83, ’18H and her husband, Philip Schiller, which, at the time, was the largest donation in Massachusetts state university history.
SEPTEMBER
Salem State secured its largest private foundation grant, totaling $3 million, from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to establish a national university network for digital ethnic studies, ensuring that the voices and stories of underrepresented populations are heard in an increasingly digital world.
2022
MAY
In celebration of the fifth anniversary of Viking Warrior Day and the 40th anniversary of the Salem State Series, the university welcomed David “Big Papi” Ortiz to the stage with proceeds benefitting vital unrestricted support.
JULY
A historic $10 million gift from Cummings Foundation named the McKeown School of Education while supporting efforts to strengthen the teacher pipeline. The gift broke the Commonwealth’s record for the largest cash gift given to a state university.
SEPTEMBER
Award-winning lawyer Amal Clooney headlined the Salem State Series in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the series, moderated by journalist Anne Driscoll ’76.
2023
MAY 6
Salem State University, in partnership with the Salem State University Alumni Association and Foundation, Inc., hosted a campaign launch event announcing Meet the Moment®, Salem State’s $75 million comprehensive campaign focused on student success.
JUNE
The Salem State University Alumni Association and Foundation, Inc. voted to unify the alumni association and foundation boards to efficiently advance the university’s mission and inspire philanthropy to invest in student success.
2024
MAY
The seventh annual Viking Warrior Day raised a record-breaking $786,426.
JUNE
A $10 million gift from an anonymous donor established Clipper Scholarships to help close the financial gap of a college education.
2025
APRIL
A $1 million gift from Mary “Midge” DeSimone ’76 and her husband, Tom, helped break ground on SSU BOLD, Salem State’s campus modernization and unification project.
Supporting the Meet the Moment® campaign affirms and empowers the students we serve: an exceptionally talented, diverse and tenacious group of learners who benefit dramatically from the generosity of donors who believe in their potential.
