Thanks to the generosity of more than 45,000 alumni and friends of Iowa State, ISU set an all-time record in donations in 1996.

The 1996 fiscal year’s (FY96) $75.5 million in receipts sets a record in financial support, according to the ISU Foundation.

The $75,562,919 total includes gifts, new pledges and deferred commitments in a 12- month span that ended June 30. The 1996 support total exceeds the previous record, set in 1993. The FY93 record was the last year of ISU’s Partnership for Prominence Campaign.

Iowa State President Martin Jischke said that the success of the private development efforts is a “tremendous accomplishment” for the university and its alumni and friends.

“But even more important is the very clear message that this level of support conveys to us about how deeply committed our alumni and friends are to Iowa State’s aspiration to becoming the nation’s best land-grant university,” Jischke said.

Gift income increased 28 percent from FY95 to FY96. Gift income is independent of payments received on commitments that were included in totals of previous years.

Gift receipts increased 17.8 percent, cash receipts increased 12.8 percent and pledges and deferred commitments increased 26.1 percent from FY95 to FY96.

Stanley and Helen Howe of Muscatine, Iowa, donated the largest gift — $6 million. They also donated $1 million worth of equipment from Hon Industries of Muscatine. These gifts are intended for the proposed Engineering Teaching and Research Complex.

In mostly cash commitments, the Presidential Scholarship Campaign topped the $25 million mark. ISU graduates Melena and Enlow Ose of Sacramento, Calif. donated $1 million to the campaign.

These funds will be used toward the National Merit and Achievement Scholars, George Washington Carver Scholars, student athletes, campus leaders and Christina Hixson Opportunity Awards.

Fellowships for graduate students and faculty have benefited from the receipt of half of the $26 million F. Wendell Miller estate. Also the gift of $1 million from Jim and Barbara Palmer will be used for the new Human Development and Family Studies Building.

The Order of the Knoll, The Foundation’s highest donor club, has also set a new record with a membership this year of 2,792. To be a member of the Order of the Knoll, individuals or organizations are required to donate at least $15,000.