Letter from UT Foundation President and Board Chair

Dear Friends of The University of Toledo,

As The University of Toledo adapts to local and global changes — in education, economics and technology — the UT Foundation continues to evolve, as well.

While successfully growing our endowment last year (with an investment return of 22.9 percent), we continued to explore new ways of boosting our support to the University. These include alternative investments and real estate ventures, such as the Dorr Street Gateway project.

Within the business and technology realms, the Foundation enhanced its financial reporting, as well as its donor stewardship capabilities, through new software systems.

In addition, the Foundation underwent a reorganization, taking on UT's alumni, fundraising and special events functions. The new structure frees the University of these responsibilities and associated costs, and makes our organization a truly full service Foundation.

Finally, in our ongoing role as fiscal steward, the UT Foundation made the decision this year to change our annual report from a print publication to an electronic version, saving thousands of dollars annually.

Our mission continues to be maximizing the value of your financial contributions and assisting the University both in its short-term objectives and long-term goals.

Many of our accomplishments are made possible through our continued collaboration with supportive alumni and friends. On behalf of the entire University community — students, faculty, staff, physicians and patients — we thank you.

Sincerely,

Brenda S. Lee
President, The University of Toledo Foundation

Gregory C. Kopan
Chair, The University of Toledo Foundation Board of Trustees

Letter from the UT President

Friends, donors and alumni,

The University of Toledo continues to be an institution on the move.

Despite the economic challenges of recent years, your University of Toledo has continued to be innovative and pursue the necessary initiatives to remain relevant and enjoy a promising future.

With your dedication and support, we are strengthening this institution and have much to be proud of.

New colleges created to promote synergy and creativity are doing just that with more interdisciplinary schools and centers to come. The University's relationship with ProMedica continues to grow with a joint investment in the new immersive simulation center to improve patient safety slated to open next year.

The vibrant campus community is expanding. The UT Foundation broke ground in August on the new Dorr Street Gateway that will revitalize the southwest corner of campus upon completion in 2012.

The Center for the Performing Arts renovation is an expression of our commitment to the important role of the arts in a University education. And the renovated Ritter Planetarium is the first in the world to house the SciDome XD projection system to provide the entire community with a quality education about the heavens.

The UT Medical Center is the best hospital in the Toledo metro area, according to U.S. News and World Report. The medical center was designated a high performer in ear, nose and throat; geriatrics; kidney disorders; neurology and neurosurgery; orthopedics; pulmonology, and urology.

The Women's Basketball Team enters the 2011-12 season as reigning WNIT Champions. Under the leadership of Head Coach Tricia Cullop, the Rockets won a school record 29 games and became the first Mid-American Conference basketball program to capture a national postseason tournament.

The successes of your University of Toledo would not be possible without you. The friends, donors and alumni who give back to this institution and whose personal successes highlight the strength of our programs are an integral part of where we are and where we strive to be.

I thank you for your efforts and look forward to our continued collaboration to move The University of Toledo forward.

Sincerely,

Lloyd A. Jacobs
President
The University of Toledo

New UT Gateway Takes Shape on Main Campus

As steel beams rise, the southwest corner of UT's main campus has begun its transformation from a parking lot to a new campus "Gateway."

The long-anticipated project will help revitalize the Dorr Street Corridor and provide a college-town atmosphere, where UT students and local residents can live, work, learn and play.

The first phase includes an 88,500-square-foot commercial complex anchored by a new University Bookstore, operated by Barnes and Noble. Additional tenants include Gradkowski's Sports Grille, Great Clips, Starbucks, Jimmy John's and other student-centered retailers.

Upper levels of the complex will consist of 48 loft-style student apartments. The project will also support educational activities through a live-learn relationship with the College of Business and Innovation, centering on entrepreneurialism.

The bookstore is expected to open in July 2012, with additional retailers and student housing opening in August 2012.

As part of the UT Foundation Real Estate Corporation's overall strategy of community partnership, the goal of the Gateway is to develop the area in a way which will not only benefit UT and its students, but also the community, notes Matt Schroeder, Foundation vice president for real estate and business development. "The Gateway is an example of how UT can create synergies among its many stakeholders," he said.

The Foundation is coordinating and financing the project, working with development partner Fairmount Properties, UT students, neighboring communities and elected officials.

The Gateway's development has also had a farther-reaching effect, Mr. Schroeder said. "Working closely with the City of Toledo and UT's Transportation Institute, we've been able to leverage this project to garner 6.5 million in funding from the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments to improve pedestrian safety for the area," he said. "Over the next three years, these may include right-of-way acquisitions, retooling of traffic signals and pedestrian medians."

To view the live-action construction progress of the Gateway, visit www.utoledo.edu.dorrstreetgateway

For more information on residential leasing, visit www.loftsatgateway.com or call 419-442-0894.

For inquiries regarding retail leasing, call 216-514-8700.

New Wolfe Center Strengthens Pharmacy College and Diabetes Center

New buildings at The University of Toledo serve a multitude of needs, but few are expected to have as far-reaching an effect on the world as the new Frederic and Mary Wolfe Center on UT's Health Science Campus.

Housing the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, the Center is a 25-million LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) facility that includes laboratories, lecture halls, offices, and the home of UT's Center for Diabetes and Endocrine Research (CeDER).

The new building is named in honor of Fritz and Mary Wolfe, who recently provided a 2.5 million donation toward diabetes research. The Wolfes were also instrumental in support for Wolfe Hall on UT's Main Campus, which opened in 1998.

CeDER is the only comprehensive diabetes research center in northwest Ohio, notes director Dr. Sonia Najjar. "Diabetes care is the future of medical care, since most cardiovascular, kidney, liver, neurological diseases, Alzheimer, cancer and many other diseases are either caused by diabetes or their course intensifies with diabetes," she explained.

Dr. Najjar said the center is a nexus of scientific interactions. "We draw strengths in basic science and clinical care in all diabetes-related diseases, and in the development of drug and technology from various colleges at UT, including Medicine, Pharmacy and Engineering. The comprehensive and collaborative nature of our program has made it possible to create a nationally recognized diabetes research center in the state of Ohio."

Despite the Center's success, she said much remains to be accomplished. "The Wolfe gift, and the building of the Wolfe Center, will strengthen scientific interaction and intellectual exchange between UT's individual colleges. It will expand our growing reach and increase our competiveness to successfully apply for further training and research funding from federal, state and pharmaceutical agencies," she said.

Mr. Wolfe, who received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from UT's College of Pharmacy in 2009, said he and his wife were pleased to support the new building and the diabetes program. "We enjoyed working again with the outstanding faculty and staff in Pharmacy, and we were quite impressed with the Center's progress in the area of diabetes."

He noted the ability to help fund a second building at UT was a welcomed unique opportunity. "We're pleased to name a building on two of the University's campuses."

Local and Global Challenges Drive UT's Upcoming Capital Campaign

Looking ahead to the changes and challenges in higher education, both locally and globally, The University of Toledo is embracing a bold vision.

"A University Rising," the upcoming Campaign for The University of Toledo, focuses on the institution's potential impact on the world around it.

"Strategic development of University resources — in research, education and leadership — bolstered by the philanthropic power of alumni, friends and potential donors across the country, will transform this vision into human terms," according to Vern Snyder, UT vice president for institutional advancement.

Campaign objectives will focus on academic distinction, learning environments and multidisciplinary projects. Mr. Snyder said the University's strategic plan, "Directions 2011," has identified these critical priorities as the foundation of this important project.

A campaign planning committee has already been formed. Over the next few months, UT's colleges, deans, and president Dr. Lloyd Jacobs will be assessing the campaign case and asking for suggestions and ideas from key stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, alumni and donors.

The five-year campaign's early solicitation phase is expected to begin in late 2012.

"A University Rising" will prepare the UT as it confronts a myriad of challenges and opportunities in the 21st century, said Mr. Snyder. "The campaign will provide our students and faculty with much needed support in all academic areas. Through the generosity of our alumni and friends, UT will meet its mission to improve the human condition."

For more information about the campaign, contact Vern Snyder at vern.snyder@utoledo.edu or 419-530-4249.

Donor Support Allows Women's Basketball Journey of a Lifetime

Before they ever tipped-off their 2011-2012 season, members of the UT Women's Basketball Team had already experienced the journey of a lifetime.

In August, the Women's Basketball team spent 11 days in Israel, where they practiced, played a pair of games and enjoyed sight-seeing in the home country of senior player Naama Shafir.

Coach Tricia Cullop said the trip was an incredible cultural experience, a team-building opportunity and a jump-start to the team's new season.

"This trip gave our staff and team a huge advantage heading into the 2011-2012 season," she said. "We returned having a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of all our players and especially our incoming freshmen." The trip enhanced members' understanding of the team's philosophy and allowed outgoing players to mentor the younger student-athletes, she said.

In addition, it was an opportunity for the women to broaden their cultural horizons through a visit overseas, where they were able to visit Ms. Shafir's home and spend time with her family.

"It was special to both meet all of Naama's family (she has eight siblings) and give them the chance to see her play two games in a Rocket uniform. Hearing the cheers as she exited the court for the final time in our last game gave me chills," said Coach Cullop. "Naama has sacrificed a lot to be a Toledo Rocket, and it was a wonderful feeling to give something back to her family."

The trip was paid entirely through fundraising efforts, which raised more than 120,000, noted Ms. Cullop, a two-time Mid-American Coach of the Year.

"Words cannot express how thankful we are to the Rocket community," she said, "for the generous contributions that made this trip a reality."

Jim Larson Remembers His "Home" in UT's Honors College

After completing undergraduate and graduate degrees at Columbia University in New York City, Jim Larson began teaching in New Jersey while living in NYC.

"One morning, I went down to the subway and realized I didn't know anyone on the platform. I was alone and lonely," he said. "The only solution was to go back to the place where I was known and had friends and family: Toledo."

He was offered a job at Bowling Green State University and a year later, joined UT. Dr. Ernest Gray, then director of UT's Honors Program, asked him to teach with him.

"It would turn out to be the turning point of my career," said Prof. Larson.

After the death of Dr. Gray, who was his mentor and best friend, Prof. Larson became UT's Honors director. While holding that position for 17 years, he developed personal relationships with students, which he calls "the most meaningful thing in my life."

"I am unmarried and have no children, thus they became my life, my family, my children," he said. "This position allowed me to realize my potential and my dream."

His relationship with the Honors Program, recently named a College at UT, has continued through the years. "Jim cared deeply about every student and stayed in touch with so many," notes the Honors College current dean, Dr. Tom Barden. "He continues to be an immense help to us, serving on our Alumni Affiliate board, hosting alumni events at his home and serving on our capital campaign advisory committee."

With the Honors program now a college, Prof. Larson believes the potential for enriching Honors students' lives is greater than ever. "In the new configuration of the University, it can be the bulwark of liberal education, that kind of education which has critical thinking at its core," he said.

In support of that goal, he has established the James K. Larson Honors College Scholarship, to benefit UT Honors students majoring in the humanities or social sciences. He has also designated a planned gift through his estate for the fund.

"I hope this fund will encourage students to come to UT, to participate in the Honors experience and to contribute to the world as have other Honors students from the past," he said. "I went to an Ivy League college, but I sincerely believe that the advising and teaching and learning that took place in the Honors Program at UT was superior to what I encountered in my own education."

To contribute to the scholarship, contact Sharon Hanna, director of development, at sharon.hanna@utoledo.edu or 419-530-5525.