West Liberty University's Successful Capital Fundraising Initiative

Fleet Solutions International president Robin Capehart formerly served an eight-year term as president of West Liberty University (WLU), where he worked to expand the school’s reach and enhance the student experience. Robin Capehart spearheaded several improvements at the West Virginia educational institution, including spurring an unprecedented period of fundraising. 

In October 2012, Mr. Capehart led WLU in launching a capital campaign with the goal of evolving into a truly great university. The initiative sought to raise funds for improvements to campus buildings including the Campbell Hall of Health Sciences, Kelly Theatre, and multiple athletic facilities.

During the WLU Capital campaign, fundraising increased dramatically. After the first semester of the 2013-2014 academic year, the school had already raised double what it had taken in during the previous year. From 2007 to 2014, the university grew its yearly fundraising total from $862,479 to more than $5 million. In addition, the school more than doubled the average fundraising amount offered per donor.

The success of West Liberty’s fundraising enabled the school to improve the student experience in several ways. The new influx of private resources allowed the university to curb student costs while maintaining the quality of its programs. WLU’s successful fundraising also allowed it to greatly expand its scholarship opportunities. From 2008 to 2014, its scholarship fund grew by an impressive 155 percent, jumping from just over $2 million to $5.1 million.