DOVER – Delaware State University recently announced that its five-year Greater Than One (GTO) Campaign for Students exceeded its $20 million goal and successfully concluded four months ahead of schedule – making it the greatest fundraising campaign in the University’s 125-year history.

The university has surpassed its objective by raising $20,370,762 during the five-year campaign that began in January 2011, officials said.

The GTO Campaign’s overarching purpose has been to raise funds to support the university’s work in achieving its primary and constant goal of student success.

Toward that goal, the largest portion of the funds raised (nearly $9 million dollars ) will be used for scholarships and to strengthen DSU’s endowment, which will provide scholarships to future students in perpetuity. There have already been 3,238 scholarships awarded during over the last five years with funds raised through the campaign.

At the close of the campaign, the university’s endowment had grown from $20.3 million in January 2011 to its current total of $27.2 million.

Beyond the scholarship dollars raised, portions of the $20 million campaign will also be used to support areas of student programming, faculty support and university support – all toward the goal of student success.

DSU President Harry L. Williams said the campaign’s success is the result of the increasing “culture of giving” that is inclusive of all segments of the university community as well as supporters outside of the University.

“The tremendous support for this campaign reflects the giving of a great host of individuals, foundations, and corporations who have chosen to help DSU achieve its long-term student success goals,” Dr. Williams said.