University of Houston Readies Huge Capital Campaign

HOUSTON, TX — We're talking about big bucks. One billion dollars, to be exact. That's the amount the University of Houston wants to raise in its current capital campaign.

"Here We Go" is the campaign's slogan, and it's already been going, because university officials will announce an eight-figure donation during an event tomorrow designed to officially launch the fundraising program.

In October 2016, Renu Khator, the president of the university, stated that 60 percent of the campaign's goal had been reached. The event tomorrow should spell out exactly how much has been raised. The funds will support the endowment, scholarships, facilities, various academic department, and the school's athletic programs.

The campaign's board is chaired by Tillman Fertitta, who recently donated $20 million to the school's athletic department; Marvin Odum, the retired president of Shell Oil; John Nau, president and CEO of Silver Eagle distributors; and Beth Madison, a UH regent.

In the early 1990s, UH raised $358 million in a campaign, which marked its most recent completed comprehensive fundraising effort.

— Image of UH President Renu Khator courtesy Creative Commons/Jon Shapley/University of Houston