On February 23, 2005, The Campaign for Virginia Commonwealth University announced $11.5 Million in pledges and new gifts earmarked for its School of Business at a gathering Wednesday of campaign volunteers.

The amount announced Wednesday includes a $10 million commitment from Steve and Kathie Markel to support the VCU School of Business.

The Markels’ transforming pledge supports the $30 million goal being sought in private funds for the Campaign for the School of Business.

Markel, vice chairman of Markel Corp., currently serves on the governing board of the VCU Health System and is chair of the VCU School of Business’ executive leadership committee. Kathie Markel serves on VCU’s Massey Cancer Center’s major gifts committee.

Insurance Center Coordinator Debbie Little, left, and Dr. Etti Baranoff, associate professor of Insurance and Finance, right, introduces Helena Meirinho, president of Gamma Iota Sigma, center, to Steve Markel during the celebration	Sketches of the new building gave students Greg Lehman, Shannan Grasty and Amy Thomas a better idea of the exterior structure

Also announced was a gift of $300,000 from the Universal Leaf Foundation. Other gifts announced include $250,000 from Mr. and Mrs. Allen King; Mr. Robert Rigsby; Gilbert and Fannie Rosenthal and Tom and Wendy Rosenthal; and Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Stettinius;. Gifts or pledges of $100,000 were announced from Mr. and Mrs. Paul Edmunds and Mr. and Mrs. Sterling Edmunds; and the family of William M. Ginther.

Tom and Vickie Snead, co-chairs of the Monroe Park Campus Campaigns, who gave $1 million to the School of Business last year, announced the new gifts.

The new School of Business, a 135,000 sq. ft. state of the art facility, will be built in partnership with the School of Engineering Phase II facilities.