POTSDAM -- SUNY Potsdam's Take the Lead: The Campaign for Potsdam has raised more than $5.7 million in donations and commitments in 2014-15 bringing the total raised to more than $29.2 million in gifts and pledges.

The Take the Lead Campaign is now at 91 percent of its overall goal, as of July 1.

The college announced its Third Century Challenge earlier this year, increasing the overall goal to $32 million by the their bicentennial in 2016.

"SUNY Potsdam boasts some of the most loyal and generous alumni and friends, who continue to take the lead in every way," said vice president for advancement Vicki Templeton-Cornell. "Our donors are quite literally transforming the student experience at Potsdam, and we continue to be humbled by their unwavering support."

Since its public launch in April 2013, the campaign has gained momentum, and garnered support from alumni and friends, including a total of 163 Leadership Donor gifts of $20,000 or more. So far, 51 donors have given at the Chancellor's Circle level of $100,000 or more for the campaign. Of those gifts, seven have exceeded the $1 million mark.

In the 2014-15 fiscal year, 13 new endowed scholarships were created, ranging from support for geology and community health majors, to interns and student leaders. Several of the new scholarships are also aimed at helping North Country students.

Additionally, 11 new endowed program funds were established and will provide resources for programs on campus, including the Rebecca V. Sheard Literacy Center, leadership training and mentoring programs, diversity efforts and the Community Performance Series, as well as programming in the new Performing Arts Center. This year, Potsdam also received a gift to establish its very first endowed position, the Joy (MacDonald) & Richard Dorf Endowed Director for Applied Learning, which will help support experiential student opportunities, such as internships, international education and research.

Despite having the smallest enrollment of all 13 comprehensive colleges within SUNY, the Potsdam campus ranked third overall for alumni participation in giving. According to the most recent Voluntary Support of Education statistics, SUNY Potsdam ranks No. 23 in the nation among public master's-granting institutions for the percentage of alumni who give to their alma mater.

Metropolitan Opera star Stephanie Blythe '92 and acclaimed bestselling novelist T.C. Boyle '68 are the Honorary Co-Chairs for the Take the Lead Campaign. Michael Galane '74, a senior director for the Hewlett-Packard Company, and famed lyric soprano Lisa Vroman '79 serve as National Co-Chairs. Rounding out the Campaign Steering Committee are: Lynne Boles '74, William Flynn '70, Deborah Diefendorf Hind '75, Gary Hind '77, Janice Rowlands Johnson '56, Christine Meda '70 and J. Richard Munro.

For more information, visit www.potsdam.edu/campaign.