FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — At the halfway point of the 2007 fiscal year on Dec. 31, 2006, the University of Arkansas had raised $52.8 million of its $76.9 million goal. This total accounts for gifts received between July 1, 2006, and the end of the 2006 calendar year and excludes pledges.

Dave Gearhart, vice chancellor for university advancement, said: “This is good news at the midway point of our fiscal year and we’re especially pleased that the number of individual gifts received is up by more than 1,200 over the same period last year. The 19,412 gifts we’ve received thus far have put us at nearly 67 percent of our annual fund-raising goal.

“It’s been two years since we’ve been in a capital campaign mode and we’ve experienced a continued trend of strong private gift support for the University of Arkansas,” Gearhart said. “I’m grateful to the alumni and friends and the corporations and foundations that have contributed to our efforts already this year. I’m equally indebted to the chancellor, the deans, the faculty, staff and volunteers who are working so hard to ensure the future of the University of Arkansas through their cultivation, solicitation and support on behalf of our academic programs.

During the same period last year, the University of Arkansas raised $53.9 million against its goal of $75.1 million, or 71 percent of the goal. The 2007 fiscal year ends June 30.