Argus Managing Editor
A capital campaign to raise $35 million for Winston-Salem State University is off to a good start with $7.4 million in commitments from area banks, alumni and numerous other contributors. Michelle Cooke, executive director of the University Foundations and chair of the campaign committee, described the capital campaign, which began two years ago, as in “the quiet stage,” meaning that the university will not go public with the campaign until it has raised at least half of the $35 million. Cooke added that the university expects to reach the halfway mark by the end of the year. Arthur Affeck, vice chancellor for University Advancement , said a primary reason for the campaign is to raise funds to support student scholarships. “We’ve been having a real success,” said Affleck. Specifically, he said that the university already has received a $1 million pledge from Wachovia, another $350,000 from BB&T and still another $200,000 from Bank of America. Of the $1 million pledged by Wachovia, $300,000 will go to the School of Business and Economics and $700,000 to the School of Education. Bank of America has donated all of its pledge to the School of Education.”People feel really good about the university,” Affleck said. “We’re on pace.”Chancellor Harold L. Martin, Sr. said monies raised during the campaign will also go toward faculty and staff development, financial aid, information resources, the Honors Program, the campus radio station (WSNC), international programs and athletics, among other programs. Ultimately, the goal is to help Winston-Salem State University become “a premier regional institution,” Martin said.