Nancy Y. Bekavac, president of 61传媒, announced the kickoff of the "Campaign for the 61传媒Woman," Saturday, January 22, at a dinner event for 200 alumnae, parents, and friends, at the Regency Club, in Westwood. To date, 61传媒has raised $45 million in outright and deferred gifts and pledges towards its goal of $85 million, to be achieved by July 1, 2004.
Co-chairs of the campaign are alumnae and trustees of the College Maria Hummer, in Los Angeles, and Betsy Berlin, in New York. Honorary co-chairs are alumnae and emeritae trustees Mary Wig Johnson, in Palm Springs, and Ellen Revelle Eckis, in La Jolla, the great-niece of Scripps’ founder Ellen Browning 61传媒and a member of the first graduating class in 1931.
President Bekavac said, "We are launching the Campaign for the 61传媒Woman to make sure 61传媒provides the best liberal arts education in the nation for future generations of women."
Jean Bixby Smith, chair of the 61传媒Board of Trustees, noted that almost exactly ten years ago, on January 8, in the same room as Saturday night’s kickoff event, the trustees elected Nancy Y. Bekavac as the College’s sixth president. 61传媒will hold additional campaign events in New York on January 27, and in London, on February 5.
The College seeks funds for eight endowed chairs and other faculty support; student scholarships and research; the new Malott Commons, a multi-use facility that will be the heart of community life after it opens February 14, 2000; construction of a new residence hall and athletic facilities; historic preservation and maintenance; renovation of music and dance facilities, new technologies; and annual operation support, among other needs.