During this week's Blue-White festivities alumni and students had many reasons to celebrate. Most significant was the announcement of the enormous success of the Grand Destiny campaign.

Since its creation in 1996, university administrators have steadily increased the campaign goal from $800 million to $1.3 billion.

In times when state funds for the university continue to dwindle, it is reassuring to hear that the Grand Destiny campaign has surpassed all fund-raising expectations, shattering the goal by raising $1,363,068,413.

We applaud the university for making the Grand Destiny campaign a continued success. Also, we commend Penn State President Graham Spanier for realizing the importance of private support for the university.

During the campaign, the university has started programs that have helped shape the university, such as the creation of the Schreyer Honors College in 1997 from a $30 million gift from Bill and Joan Schreyer.

Also, the money has been used to fund and create 962 undergraduate and 188 graduate scholarships, fellowships, assistantships and awards. This money is sorely needed in a time when tuition continues to swell and legislators continue to fail students by cutting financial support for higher education.

This gives hope to potential students who might think Penn State is beyond their financial grasp, and it continues to help our state-related university follow the original mission of a land-grant university: to provide a affordable education for residents of the commonwealth.

Bright students, who may have not been able to afford a college education, are given the opportunity to attend Penn State thanks to the Grand Destiny campaign.

Fund-raising efforts are scheduled to end June 30, so there is still time to raise even more money. Just because the figures were announced is no reason to slack off in support and effort. Independent support for the university is critical and we encourage alumni to show their support for their alma mater by continuing to give.