Chicago Convenes 2008  Watch the Chicago Convenes videos for another view of the Chicago Initiative's success A Landscape Transformed Chicago Faculty Chicago Students Chicago's Valued Partners
Hundreds of supporters of the University and its campaign, the Chicago Initiative, gathered Friday, May 2 to celebrate the campaign’s success of surpassing its $2 billion goal. Thus far, the Chicago Initiative—which will end Monday, June 30—has raised $2.1876 billion. The financial support of more than 114,000 individuals and organizations has helped provide funding for new facilities, such as the Ellen and Melvin Gordon Center for Integrative Science, the Gerald Ratner Athletics Center and the Charles M. Harper Center, which is home to the Graduate School of Business. Additionally, gifts have helped to create 90 endowed faculty positions, establish 132 new College scholarships and provide support for graduate student life. Andrew Alper (top left photo, clockwise), Chairman of the Chicago Initiative greets supporters with news of the campaign’s success. Rockefeller Memorial Chapel was again transformed into an elegant dining hall for the annual Chicago Convenes dinner, at which Julie and Parker Hall receive the University of Chicago Medal. James Crown, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, toasts the University’s alumni and friends for their support. Lectures on current research are always a part of the daylong Chicago Convenes event. Thomas Gunning, the Edwin A. and Betty L. Bergman Distinguished Service Professor in Art History and the College, delivers a talk. Janet Rowley, the Blum-Riese Distinguished Service Professor of Hematology/Oncology in Medicine, Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology and Human Genetics, (at left) visits with a fellow University alumna at the Chicago Convenes opening event, where President Zimmer welcomed the audience and thanked everyone who has given their support to the campaign.		Photos by Dan Dry