Ohio University Lancaster Campus and the Pickerington Center this month will embark upon the university's largest fundraising effort in the 56-year history of the branch campus.

Wednesday, June 6, OU Lancaster and the Pickerington Center were slated to hold a kickoff event for the Promise Lives Campaign.

Over the next three years, the campaign seeks to raise $3.5 million to bolster scholarship offerings, improve facilities and enhance arts and cultural events offered at the university's two campuses.

"Ohio University Lancaster-Pickerington is a crucial piece in the thriving educational environment of Fairfield County," said Mandi Custer, development director for the Ohio University Lancaster Campus and the Pickerington Center.

"The funding priorities established for this campaign are student- and community-focused," Custer said.

Specifically, the university hopes to raise $1 million for scholarships.

That money can be directed toward existing scholarships or the creation of new ones.

Promise Lives also seeks to raise $1 million to upgrade and expand facilities at the two campuses, which Custer said would allow the university both to enhance and expand academic offerings, as well as provide space for a range of community events.

Another goal of the campaign is to raise $1 million for "planned giving," Custer said.

"Planned giving is money you receive from someone's estate that is documented while that person is still alive," she said.

"You work with the donor to understand what their wishes are.

"It's money that comes later on, but also is very important for future goals."

Additionally, Promise Lives seeks to raise $500,000 for arts and cultural events.

"The campaign ends 2015," Custer said. "We do have a growing student body.

"Also ... in order to keep up academically, we have to keep up financially."

Custer said the Lancaster campus and the Pickerington Center this year will break the 2,500 barrier for student enrollment.

That's up from 2,280 students that were enrolled at the two campuses in fall 2009, and 2,491 who attended classes in fall 2010.

"The campaign focuses on the promise of our students, what they will do in the community and how they will give back to our university and society," Custer said, adding the fundraiser will assist current and future professors at the university and enhance offerings and opportunities for the local and surrounding communities.

As the campaign unfolds, Custer said, there will be a series of events for alumni and members of the community to attend, each providing an opportunity to contribute.

Direct donations also can be made by calling Custer at 740-654-6711, Ext. 234; or via email to custera@ohio.edu.

Contributions also are being accepted through the university's website, ohio.edu/Lancaster.

On the site's homepage, there is a "Make a Gift" feature where donations can be made.

"Some people think to give to a university, it has to be a great big gift," Custer said. "That is not true.

"A gift of any size is welcomed and appreciated."