The New Oberlin Century campaign, first publicly announced in 1999, recently completed its ongoing effort to raise $165 million through alumni, family and friends through the year 2004.

“As of January 31, 2004, the campaign fund had surpassed 166 million dollars, Ernie Iseminger, the Vice President for Alumni and Development Affairs at Oberlin, said.

The campaign ends this June 30th. According to Jeremy Weaver, Associate Vice President for Developmental Affairs, the projected final sum for the campaign is $175 million.

The New Oberlin Century Campaign involves a considerable list of objectives for what Oberlin hopes to accomplish with the new funds. One campaign priority is to strengthen student scholarships for both the College of Arts and Sciences and the Conservatory.

According to the New Oberlin Century campaign website, Oberlin’s seniors commonly graduate with $16,000 in debt. By increasing the amount of students’ grants, the campaign would help lower graduates’ debt.

New Oberlin Century also hopes to maintain an excellence in College and Conservatory faculty through increased funds and improve facilities through new construction and renovation.

Plans for facilities include renovations to the Allen Memorial Art Museum and the construction of a new performance and rehearsal space for the conservatory. Because the performing arts are so popular at Oberlin, there is always competition for performance space. In the future, there may be a 200-seat theater constructed to be used solely for student-run theater and dance performances.

The new Science Center, with its state of the art laboratory facilities, is largely a result of the New Oberlin Century Campaign.

According to Iseminger, the campaign has already raised $25 million for its funding. The Science Center will help Oberlin College maintain its reputation as one of the leading educators of undergraduate scientists.

The campaign was largely conducted during a period of national economic hardship, and Mr. Iseminger admitted that it was a difficult campaign.

“Our alumni stepped up for us,” he said. “They are savvy donors, and they understand how important it is to give right now.”

He added that it is important that Oberlin looks from the success of the New Oberlin Century Campaign to the future.

“I believe our best days are ahead of us,” Iseminger said. “We’re just getting started now.”