University's "Leading the way" Campaign launched

20 November

400 guests gathered at the Leading the Way Campaign launch event on 14 November for an evening of celebration and aspiration, culminating in the announcement of a $100 million fundraising target and attainment of $48 million to date in gifts and pledges.

Attendees included some of the major benefactors to the University, members of the Campaign Leadership Committee, University senior management and staff representatives, alumni and friends, and student table hosts.

The Chancellor, Hugh Fletcher, welcomed guests to a "momentous night for the University".

"This evening we formally announce the launch of a major Campaign which looks to the future of The University of Auckland, to the young men and women who are currently studying here, and to the generations to come."

The Chancellor awarded Dr John Buchanan and Bridget Liddell Fellowships of The University of Auckland.  John is Chair of the London-based UK Friends of The University of Auckland, while Bridget Chairs the US Friends of The University of Auckland. These organisations support the University's philanthropic activities in their respective countries. Both recipients are members of the Business School's Advisory Board with connections that began with their respective studies at the University.  

Professor Richard Faull told guests the story of how he and his team advanced a dream to scientific reality thanks to philanthropic support from the Freemasons NZ and family trusts. 

"With this vital funding - I call it dream-money - we ended up producing irrefutable scientific evidence from our human brain studies that, against all dogma, the human brain can repair itself by making new brain cells."

Postdoctoral Fellow Dr Jessie Jacobsen, a member of Richard's research group, spoke of her "blue skies" PhD project - the successful creation of a unique model of Huntington's disease.  "This will hopefully have the downstream effect of fast-tracking treatments for this and other neurological disorders in the clinic."

An audiovisual presentation depicted the five themes that underpin the Campaign goals:  the health of our nation; the development of our children; the growth of our economy; the future of our cities; and the expression of who we are.

"In this time of economic uncertainty, it has never been more important than it is now to fulfil the goals of the Leading the Way Campaign and to help create in this country a university of genuinely world class achievements that have a positive impact on people's daily lives," said the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stuart McCutcheon. 

Together with the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor and the Campaign Patrons - Chris Liddell, Jenny Gibbs and John Graham - the Campaign Chair, Geoff Ricketts, announced the target and attainment.  He paid tribute to all those who had given to the University in so many ways over the past 125 years. 

"Without your constant interest, your expectations for this grand seat of higher learning, and your unflagging willingness to see our University progress in a highly competitive world, we would not have achieved what we have already."