The University of Lynchburg today publicly kicked off One Lynchburg, a $40 million comprehensive campaign that has already raised nearly $39 million and now invites the community’s help to secure the final $1 million by Dec. 31.

For generations, Lynchburg has embraced the motto, “Here, you’re home.” One Lynchburg reinforces this promise by growing the endowment for student scholarships and funding new programs, research, and experiential learning initiatives that provide every Hornet with a competitive edge after graduation, according to Shawn Wood, associate vice president of advancement.

“The time for action is now. The campaign’s momentum is at its peak, and every gift, no matter the size, has an immediate and direct impact,” he said. “For many donors, the University of Lynchburg, or ‘LC,’ is more than just a place of learning; it’s a home. It’s where they created lifelong friendships, found their passion, and were shaped into the people they are today.

“Giving back is a way to honor that experience and ensure that future generations can have the same experiences.”

The campaign is supported by three key pillars: One Hive, One Heart, and One Home. One Hive aims to enhance endowed scholarships and foster a strong sense of belonging among students. A generous estate gift of $1.08 million from Sidney M. Bedford Jr. ’40 is already supporting both The Lynchburg Fund and the Sidney M. and Pearl H. Bedford Memorial Scholarship Fund for students in financial need.

“Hopefully, an inspiration for others, a gift like this is a powerful story. It demonstrates to other alumni and potential donors how they can leave a lasting legacy and create a personal impact on the lives of students for decades to come,” Wood said.

One Heart will provide support for academics, research, and service learning initiatives. This includes the efforts of alumna and board of trustees member Gillian S. Stoettner ’91, who made a gift to the Student-Managed Investment Fund, now named in her honor. This fund allows students to gain real-world portfolio management experience, consistently outperforming the market.

The third pillar, One Home, will support innovative learning and gathering spaces. One example of this initiative is a $150,000 pledge from Hannah Baraty Treadway ’09 MEd and Brandon D. Treadway ’10 MBA, along with a $150,000 pledge from the DuFour Legacy Corporation.

This corporation was founded by Hannah and her brother, Matt DuFour, in memory of their late family members: former board of trustees member Dr. Rebecca Burnette DuFour ’82, ’19 EdD and Dr. Richard P. DuFour ’19 EdD. This funding will be used to create a model classroom in Thompson-Polloway, with construction expected to begin soon.

Also during the campaign, the new Crank Plaza in front of the Daura Museum of Art was created with a $100,000 gift from Steve Crank ’73, ’74 MBA, a member of Lynchburg’s board of trustees. The plaza was dedicated in memory of Crank’s first wife, Susan Hornsby Crank ’74, an art major and educator who died in 2006.

“The combined generosity of thousands of donors is what has made the campaign a success. It says quite a bit about the Hornet community, alumni, faculty, staff, parents, and friends coming together for the University’s future,” Wood said. 

Help close the gap and give now at lynchburg.edu/OneLynchburg or call 434.544.8665.