The University of Denver launched The Denver Difference Celebration on Thursday night. Delayed by COVID-19, the fundraising campaign aims to add $1 billion to DU’s operations and endowment. Currently, the University of Denver’s endowment is estimated to be slightly more than that but no details were provided at the launch regarding the split between campaign funds into the endowment, ongoing operations, or capital projects. DU reported that half the target pledges, $500 million, were made ahead of Thursday’s launch.

A University of Denver announcement called the launch “A $1 billion campaign that is opening opportunities for DU faculty and students to achieve their aspirations. Students bring their ambition to DU and graduate with the skills and ethical mindset to champion a better tomorrow.”

The campaign is centered on several key areas: Continued support of DU’s research efforts as the sole private R1-designated university in the Rocky Mountain Region, grow academic scholarships to support undergraduate and graduate studies, support ongoing efforts on the Kennedy Mountain Campus, and embed and reinforce the 4D experience (intellectual growth, well-being, character development, and careers and lives of purpose) at both the metropolitan and mountain campuses.

Particular emphasis was placed on the introduction of an Academy of Civil Discourse and Free Speech. The goal of the Academy will be to encourage diversity of thought and pluralism on campus by teaching and encouraging the development of skills that encourage the open exchange of divergent opinions using fact-based discussion. Time will tell what this initiative will look like on campus.

Of particular note, during the Campaign Launch Celebration, Chancellor Jeremy Haefner cited the importance of athletics to the University of Denver, the city, the region as well as the university’s national profile, echoing much of what has been published on this site, contending that Denver Athletics serves as the University’s ever-important ‘front porch.’ Athletics were also said to leverage many of the characteristics outlined by the 4D student experience.

The Denver Difference campaign is expected to be a multiyear endeavor. No details of further capital campaigns were offered during the introductory event.