VALPARAISO | Valparaiso University surpassed a recent fundraising goal by $38 million, President Mark Heckler announced during a press conference Friday.

"This has been the end of an extraordinary period in the life of Valparaiso University and we are pleased to announce that Valparaiso University has achieved a real milestone," said Heckler about the conclusion of its "Our Valpo, Our Time" campaign.

The campaign, started in 2004, began with a goal of $200 million to build on the institution's endowment, support ongoing operations, and fund capital initiatives, such as the Harre Union and Kallay-Christopher Hall.

However, the campaign secured $238 million in funds, significantly more than was sought due to the generosity of campaign board members, alumni and friends, said Campaign Co-Chair Don Fites who served along with Co-Chair Connie Ashline.

"Five years ago when this campaign started, $200 million sounded great, if you said it quickly," Fites joked. "But this was a (Campaign) Board-led campaign with members contributing $96 million personally to the campaign, and they were all very active. We exceeded our goals on every effort."

Heckler said the campaign funds will continue to benefit the university, long into the future vision for the institution.

"This campaign will create a compelling education experience for students over the next two decades, both for students who want to come here and stay, in the classroom, and over the course of their time here as a student," he said.

"Valparaiso University will truly become a place of belonging, to make people feel they are a part of an extraordinary community," Heckler said.

Heckler acknowledged the work of all involved, especially the legacy of Alan Harre, after which the Union is named. Harre served as president for 20 years and during much of the campaign, retiring in 2008.

"It was Dr. Harre's tireless work over the campaign period that made this possible," he said.