Iowa State President Martin Jischke has no doubt that Campaign Destiny will succeed in reaching its estimated goal of $300 million by the year 2000.

Friday morning at 9:00, Jischke officially announced a $34 million gift, the largest in ISU history, and the launching of the largest fund-raising drive in the university’s history.

This multimillion dollar campaign to make Iowa State the best land-grant university in the nation was started in July of 1995. It will run through June 30 of 2000.

“This campaign is the direct result of Iowa State’s strategic plan, and our aspiration to become the best land-grant university in the nation,” Jischke said at a news conference in the Memorial Union.

Iowa State concluded its last major capital campaign in 1993, which surpassed the goal of $150 million.

“We are also announcing this morning that this campaign is off to an absolutely wonderful start,” Jischke said.

The $34 million gift was to the College of Agriculture. The university will get $4 million now and the rest after the ananomyous couple dies. “I have no doubt that this campaign will lead our College of Agriculture to preeminence in the world.

“With this lead gift — a gift that leaves a lot of us shocked, although it’s a good kind of shock — I am happy that we are able to announce today that we have already reached more than 40 percent of our goal,” Jischke said.

As of Friday, university officials had taken in more than $124 million and were actively seeking more donations.

A full-page advertisement in Friday’s Des Moines Register helped kick off the campaign.

The $34-million donors are adamant about not being recognized. Jischke said he hopes their wishes will be honored. Their names will become public after they die.

“I truly believe that Iowa State is on a roll, and our accomplishments over the past six years are the strongest evidence in support of this statement,” Jischke said. “I see this coming period as one of the most important periods in the history of the university, and truly one of the most exciting.”

“Campaign Destiny: To Become The Best” was officially launched Friday night at a Hilton Coliseum ceremony.