SRU launches $35 million ‘Because this is The Rock’ fundraising campaign
Slippery Rock University is looking for tens of millions of dollars to invest in “students, academic excellence, athletics and SRU’s future.”
The university announced a $35 million fundraising campaign named the “Because this is The Rock” campaign Tuesday, Oct. 27. The fundraising campaign, SRU said, is to “create new opportunities for students and strengthen the university for generations to come.”
The campaign focuses on four specific areas, seeking:
• $15 million for “academic excellence and innovation” to support faculty and student research, academic programs, experiential learning and facilities,
• $12 million for scholarships,
• $5 million for athletics and
• $3 million for a flexible funding pool called the “Presidential Priority Fund.”
“For more than three decades, SRU has grown, adapted and shaped generations of graduates without the benefit of a comprehensive campaign at scale. ‘Because this is The Rock’ represents an opportunity to build on that foundation and translate the University’s priorities into lasting benefits for students,” a news release said.
This is the first large-scale, comprehensive fundraising campaign launched by SRU in more than 30 years, according to the university.
“Slippery Rock University has long been a place where lives are transformed through education, opportunity and community,” Tony Robinson, co-chair of the campaign, said in the release. “We are now in an extraordinary position to invest in the future of the university and empower students to achieve their dreams. This campaign is not simply about raising money — it is about creating pathways, removing barriers and ensuring that future students have the resources they need to thrive.”
The fundraising campaign comes while SRU navigates challenges facing higher education.
While officials said at the Sept. 10 “State of the University” address SRU is considering how to strategically use reserve funds to pay off its nearly $20 million in outstanding debt, it is also maintaining positive enrollment trends in the face of an impending “enrollment cliff.”
According to university statistics, SRU has its largest ever freshman class in 2026, as well as high enrollment growth overall.
“We are at an inflection point, ready to build on our success and advance lasting excellence. Through this effort, we can further invest in the people, programs and priorities that will shape the future of The Rock and make a difference in the lives of generations of students,” SRU president Karen Riley said in the release.
