Private giving to the University of South Carolina reached $64.7 million for 2003 - 04, increasing 20 percent over last year and surpassing the university's goal of $54 million.

Last year's figure was $53.7 million.

The monies will be used to create scholarships, hire and support new faculty, enhance the libraries and academic programs, strengthen regional campuses and improve campus facilities.

USC President Andrew A. Sorensen said the gifts are particularly meaningful because they came during a weak economy and when the university was forced to cut budgets.

 "From the smallest contribution to the largest gift, we are indeed grateful for the support shown by alumni, friends and corporations," Sorensen said. "Their gifts are a measure not only of their appreciation for the university, but also of their recognition that Carolina is having an impact on our state and our nation through teaching, research and outreach."

Support for academic program enhancements totaled $29.4 million. Gifts for faculty development, including chairs and professorships, reached $5.5 million; support for scholarships was $8.9 million, and contributions to the Gamecock Club were $14.6 million. Corporate giving totaled $12.4 million, and foundation support was $10.3 million.

Sorensen said that private support is even more vital, particularly for students, at a time when the state's beleaguered economy has forced budget cuts to higher education.

"Private giving enables us to provide scholarships and enrichment programs, such as speakers and research opportunities, that make the difference between a good educational experience and an outstanding one," Sorensen said.

Hudson Akin, USC vice president for university advancement, said the gifts are a reaffirmation of USC's mission and that the figure doesn't include the largest gift in USC's history, $45 million to the Moore School of Business from alumna Darla Moore, or monies from the S.C. Health Sciences Collaborative involving USC, the Medical University of South Carolina, Palmetto Health and the Greenville Hospital System. That agreement has the potential to funnel millions to USC.

Both were announced in April and will be reported in 2004 - 05 totals.

"The gifts that have been received this year from our friends and supporters reflect a firm belief in our mission as the state's flagship institution," Akin said. "When we look at this figure and see that it doesn't even include the $45 million from Darla Moore or the potential monies from the hospital collaborative, we are optimistic about our future and what this means for our students and the people of South Carolina."

The gifts include $1 million from BB&T Corp. to the Moore School of Business to establish a chair for the study of capitalism; a $2 million anonymous gift for high-tech tourism research; nearly $1.8 million from business executive and alumnus Peter McCausland of Philadelphia for USC's center for brain-imaging research; and more than $800,000 for USC Beaufort's New River campus.