TIGER TV ONLINE REPORTER

BATON ROUGE, La.– The 2009 U.S. News & World Reports ranks LSU in the first tier for “Best National Universities” for the first time, placing the University as 67th among other national public universities.

The Forever LSU campaign, which supports the National Flagship Agenda, has helped support the University’s status as a leading public institution, said  Beverly Major, director of Forever LSU.

So far, the Forever LSU Campaign has raised more than $611 million in cash donations, pledges, in-kind gifts, Major said. The state has contributed $32 million, bringing the total amount to $643,611,225.05.

The Forever LSU campaign will continue until the University’s 150th anniversary in 2010, she said.

At the time, the University hopes to have $750 million donated to the Forever LSU campaign.

Currently, various University departments are working on fundraising projects, especially in College of Business, Major said.

“We’re always fundraising for student scholarships and professorships,” said Major.

Despite budget cuts, Major said, the campaign’s four pillars have remained the same: student support, faculty support, program support and campus infrastructure