In 2015, the University of Mary launched its “Vision 2030” campaign.
It had an ambitious goal – to raise $272 million. The first phase goal was $96 million.
Tuesday, the University announced it had met -- and surpassed -- that goal.
"We raised almost $101 million," announced U-Mary Vice President for Public Affairs Jerome Richter at a ceremony on campus.
That was the first of three phases.
U-Mary President Msgr. James Shea said the campaign will now take a short pause to regroup.
"We need to say, 'What did we accomplish that we said we're going to accomplish?'" Shea said. "How did we do it -- and what are the priorities going into the future?"
Shea said they will be testing the waters with donors.
"A lot of people and a lot of businesses are in pledges already," She said. "It's not great form to go back to them in the middle of a pledge. So we have to be sensitive to all of that."
Shea said there will be an announcement of Phase Two sometime in the coming months. He said everyone is just a little bit weary right now.
"We might have a glass of champagne and sit down for 10 minutes," Shea said.