The Virginia University of Lynchburg is launching the biggest fundraising effort in its history Thursday in support of the ongoing restoration of its campus.
VUL, a historically black school and Lynchburg’s oldest college, hopes to raise $5 million over the next year to further the completion of its master plan. The aggressive timetable was selected to keep pace with the school’s ambitious vision for the future.
“We don’t want it to drag out,” VUL President Ralph Reavis explained Wednesday. “We want to mop this up and get on with the work.”
Founded in 1890 as a Baptist seminary, VUL has been working in recent years to restore and expand its small campus off Campbell Avenue. Last winter, it secured local historic status for its three oldest structures, which date to 1917, 1920 and 1946, respectively.
Two of those buildings, Humbles Hall and Graham Hall, are already undergoing renovations. VUL hopes this new fundraising effort, dubbed the Restoration Campaign, will allow it to rehabilitate the third and then begin considering expansion.
The school, which has a current enrollment of 324, specifically hopes to build new classroom space and student facilities such as dormitories and a student union.
The VUL campaign will formally launch Thursday night during a dinner organized by the school. Officials said they plan to spend the next year reaching out to the community in search of donations and grants.
“I’ll be out talking and making presentations to anyone who’ll listen,” said Reavis, adding he felt confident the school could reach its goal based on the community support it received in the past.
“I think the public will respond positively,” he said. “I’m very hopeful. And it’s not how much people give. It’s that they participate in the restoration and renaissance of this university.”
Alluding to the recent work done to break down racial barriers in the city, Reavis said he hoped this campaign would bring a broad spectrum of people together and unite them behind a common goal to create a “first-rate institution” that will benefit future generations.
“These people will become stakeholders in the university and be able to take pride in its restoration,” he said. “The bottom line is we’re asking every citizen to get behind this effort and participate … We can no longer stay in our own little places. We must reach out and work together.”
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