A significant goal of the comprehensive campaign is to fund scholarships. Recruiting the best and brightest students has never been more challenging. State and private schools alike are offering more incentives than ever to help cover the rapidly escalating cost of a college education. To compete for the highest-achieving students, we need greater resources, and endowed and annual scholarships are an essential tool in the recruiting process.

Montevallo has long had a reputation for affordability, but many students still require financial aid to graduate as college costs continue to rise. While Montevallo students graduate with far less debt than those of other state schools, we still need resources to ensure that all of our future students graduate without crushing student-loan debt.

Look at the students on our campus and you’ll see an interesting mix of first-generation students and others from families that have been sending their children here for generations. You’ll see a broad mix of people from all races and socio-economic backgrounds. The University’s strategic plan specifically calls for increasing scholarships to support more diversity in the student population, which in turn enriches every student’s experience. Your contribution to the It's About Family campaign ensures that we meet all of these goals.

At the heart of all that we do—all that Montevallo is—lie our faculty, coaches and staff. To ensure that Montevallo remains among the top-tier universities, it is imperative that we continue to recruit excellent faculty who are leaders in teaching and research, but most importantly, people who are passionate about helping students achieve their full potential.

One of the chief priorities of the It's About Family campaign is to endow faculty chairs, establish distinguished professorships and attract talented coaches to lead our athletic programs. Endowments and professorships ensure we attract and retain excellent senior faculty and coaches, while providing resources to improve faculty salaries across the university.

Innovation in education requires time for the faculty to design and implement new programs and courses. Professors need release time to accomplish these tasks and our goal is to provide stipends, travel and expense grants, as well as pay for additional faculty appointments—all to foster the goal of continuing innovation in teaching. Only then can we ensure that Montevallo retains its place among the state’s top universities.

The It's About Family campaign also addresses the critical need for modern, state-of-the-art facilities. Improvements to academic, residential, athletic and other public spaces are needed in order for the University to continue to attract the very best students and faculty.

CAMPUS INFRASTRUCTURE

As Montevallo works to achieve budgeted growth and expanded programs, we must address ongoing maintenance challenges, including issues with aging roofs, dorm rooms, heating and cooling infrastructure. In addition, we are committed to reducing energy usage. State conservation guidelines require that we install energy-efficient windows.

ACADEMIC facilities

Continued growth of the University requires new academic spaces and upgrades to existing ones. Crucial needs include faculty and staff offices, theaters, performance venues, classrooms and public spaces that promote collaboration and active learning. Technology is a pressing issue. In order to carry forward the Montevallo tradition of leadership in education, business, the arts and social justice, our students need access to the latest technology.

ATHLETIC FACILITIES

Whether students participate in NCAA Division II or intramural sports, athletics is an important part of the college experience. Our athletic program has a rich tradition, and it is growing. To support new programs such as track and field and softball for women and to attract first-rate student-athletes from all over the world, we need expanded facilities.

It's About Family seeks gifts that will make extensive improvements to campus and facilities, while providing permanent, endowed support for students and faculty. But the University each year has many unbudgeted needs, as well. As a state institution, our state appropriation has been cut in recent years. Therefore, we have a pressing need for unrestricted, budget-supporting gifts to provide for the critical needs of our students, faculty, coaches and staff.

Giving to the Annual Fund for Montevallo strengthens the core of the University and our overall financial well-being. It is an opportunity for everyone to participate, year after year, in providing a living endowment to advance the University in excellence. Every gift—no matter the size—makes a difference.

Founded in 1896, the University of Montevallo is home to a number of iconic landmarks and lasting traditions that unite graduates through the years and across generations. As we move forward, it is critical that we preserve traditions that have historically defined what it means to be a part of Montevallo.

Our traditions are an important part of our future. The Library of Congress recognizes College Night as the longest running homecoming event in the country. First produced in 1919, the musical-theater productions that highlight the event are expensive. We need financial support to provide perpetual funding for College Night and other campus traditions including the student newspaper, The Alabamian, Founder’s Day and our historic brick streets.