University of Wyoming Sets Private Giving Record [AUDIO]

The University of Wyoming received a record $43.1 million for the fiscal year ending June 30. It marks the second time in the university's 125-year history that giving has surpassed the $40 million mark.

The previous record was from FY 2008 when UW raised just over $43 million. The FY 2011 total was reached through 24,018 donors including alumni, friends, staff, faculty, students, corporations and foundations. The five-year fundraising average for the university is now than $39 million a year.

UW Foundation President Ben Blalock claims the success of the university is a catalyst for giving.

When you truly are having remarkable things happen at a university, it is amazing how excited our alumni and friends become and how they want to add their support to ensure we acheive all our goals. In the fundraising world, success brings success and this is reflected in the record year we just experienced.
-Ben Blalock

Assets managed by the UW Foundation have grown significantly over the years and have allowed the university to avoid cutting back, unlike many other institutions.

Forbes magazine recently ranked Wyoming at no. 10 on its list of "Best Colleges for the Money." The "value" ranking measures the overall cost of each school relative to the quality of education.