Racing to keep pace with its burgeoning enrollment and growing reputation, the Graduate School of International Economics and Finance at Brandeis (GSIEF) has launched a $25 million fundraising drive to build a world-class academic facility, fund innovative programs, endow faculty chairs, and increase scholarship funding. More than half the funds for the first building, a $9 million Academic Center, are committed.

"We have exciting plans for the school, and a world-class facility is essential for enhancing teaching, learning and our ability to attract the best students and faculty," GSIEF Dean Peter Petri points out. "Applications have increased 60 percent in just the last two years and there is enormous potential for growth.

"Our new Living and Learning Center will provide a functional and elegant solution to the School's space needs. It will include state-of-the-art teaching spaces, team rooms, offices, meeting areas, and residential facilities."

In addition to funding innovative programs in entrepreneurship, globalization, leadership, and ethics, the campaign will enhance the School's ability to attract exceptional faculty through the addition of endowed chairs in international business strategy, financial markets, and economic cooperation. Chairs ensure that gifted professors have the time and resources to conduct groundbreaking research, and to develop new models for training tomorrow's leaders.

Valuing its "human capital" most highly, GSIEF aims to increase its scholarship funding in order to offset the very high cost of education for the best students from around the world.

The campaign offers donors several opportunities to have their names associated with this growing enterprise. Key naming opportunities will be available within the Academic Center and for scholarship funds, faculty chairs, and programs.

GSIEF alumni are working together to participate in the campaign and will be recognized in the new building for their many financial, educational, and other contributions to the School.