Where you'll find the latest news from Norwich University in Northfield, Vt

Friday, October 2, 2009

For Immediate Release
Oct. 1, 2009
Contact: Daphne Larkin
802-485-2886
dlarkin@norwich.edu

NEWS RELEASE

Former NBC official’s giving yields over $18 million to Norwich University

...As Pierson Mapes celebrates his 50th reunion, Norwich University announces record giving by the class of ’59 boosted by the Mapes Match…

NORTHFIELD, Vt. (Oct. 1, 2009) – Former president of the NBC television network, Pierson Mapes, NU’59, offered an opportunity to Norwich University, the institution he credits with instilling in him the integrity that brought him success in the business world, that has yielded support for Norwich totaling over $18 million to date.

As reported in the Wall Street Journal in 2007, Mapes offered to match estate contributions from members of the “Old Guard” – a Norwich tradition recognizing alumni celebrating their 50-year reunion.

He later expanded the offer to include significant cash contributions and a unique match for his own class as they prepared to join the ranks of the Old Guard.

For Mapes, the decision was very simple.

“Ten years ago my wife, Pat, and I decided that we can make a difference at Norwich which would help America,” he said. “I said to myself $10 million will be great when we die but why not leverage this now.”

Mapes said he saw an opportunity to double his gift.

“It’s an incredible gift,” said Norwich President Richard Schneider. “It has had a profound effect on our fundraising because it meant that people could double their money. Norwich alumni are so smart and competitive that when an opportunity is put before them they rise to it, and that’s exactly what Pier Mapes did.”

To date, the class of ’59 has given over $12 million total to Norwich with 92 percent participation – a Norwich record.

This weekend at Homecoming ceremonies, Schneider will announce the early end of the Norwich Forever capital campaign. The goal of the campaign, launched in 2005, was $55 million, and is ending a year early due to unprecedented success.


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Norwich University is a diversified academic institution that educates traditional-age students and adults in a Corps of Cadets and as civilians. Norwich offers a broad selection of traditional and distance-learning programs culminating in Baccalaureate and Graduate Degrees. Norwich University was founded in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge of the U.S. Army. Norwich University is the oldest private military college in the United States of America and the birthplace of our nation's Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).