Western University's fund-raising efforts adding up

Western University of Health Sciences announced this week it has surpassed the two-thirds mark in its capital campaign drive which has a goal of raising $35 million by 2012.

So far the institution has raised more than $27 million, the University said in a statement.

The university is trying to raise the $35 million for the institution's expansion by 2012, the year the institution will celebrate its 35th anniversary, the statement said.

Funds raised through the six-year campaign will be used to equip and furnish the University's Health Education Center and Patient Care Center which are under construction and are expected to open in early 2010, the statement said.

The Health Education Center will be home to the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, the College of Dental Medicine, the College of Optometry and the College of Podiatric Medicine.

The Patient Care Center will accommodate a pharmacy, outpatient clinics for osteopathic and podiatric medicine.

The building will have small groups where students from different disciplines will be able to meet and learn to work as a team to address their patients medical needs.

As part of the construction project a 600-car parking structure is also being built.

This is the largest construction and renovation effort the university has ever taken on, the statement said.

The campaign has drawn about 2,300 contributions, some of them quite sizable.

Among the largest gifts is one made from physicians Daljit and Elaine Sarkaria of Orange who pledged $5.1 million with a part going to a lectureship, the statement said.

Corporate donors have also participated in the fund raising effort including Banfield, the Pet Hospital and its parent company Mars, Inc.

The companies played a major role in the founding and construction of the College of Veterinary Medicine which opened in 2003.

Banfield and Mars have donated more than $7.6 million since the college opened, the statement said.