The “Lead by Example” campaign, the most aspiring higher education capital campaign in Texas history, has raised $4.35 billion for Texas A&M University faculty, staff, and students.

“Lead by Example”, which was publicly launched in 2015 as a joint effort between Texas A&M and its affiliate fundraising organisations, raised $4 billion and confirmed the university’s standing as a world-class public research institution for the upcoming generations. Many organisations participated in the campaign, including The Association of Former Students, the Texas A&M Foundation, the George & Barbara Bush Foundation, and the Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets Association.

The Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp said that the fundraising process made many people grow closer to the university. He said that the Texas Aggies, who are the students, graduates, and sports teams of Texas A&M University, love and support their university, so there was no doubt they would so generously give back to keep the university at the forefront of great universities. He continued to congratulate everyone who worked so hard toward achieving the goal of raising more than $4.25 billion. 

During the campaign, Texas A&M received more than 903,600 gifts from donors, creating 3,364 new endowments supporting scholarships and fellowships, faculty chairs and professorships, student and college programs, and more. 

60% of campaign gifts came from alumni, while approximately 40% came from non-alumni and other public and private foundations. However, support hasn’t always been about money, as it has been reported that students dedicated approximately 12 million volunteer hours to help in the campaign. 

According to Tyson Voelkel, the President of the Texas A&M Foundation, this generation’s philanthropic investment will significantly impact future generations. 

“$4 billion is an impressive number, but it is the positive human impact that speaks greater volumes,” Voelkel said.