Campaign for SOC Inspires Philanthropic Support

Restoration of AU's historic McKinley building to become new, state-of-the art communications center

The university fundraising effort to raise at least $13 million from alumni and friends for the restoration of American University’s historic McKinley building—the future home of AU’s School of Communication—has made significant strides after several recent donations to The Campaign for SOC.

The new gifts bring the campaign to an unprecedented level with a total of $4.8 million raised, including the largest gift to date from Michael Forman of the Los Angeles area. Forman’s $1.5 million contribution names the building’s planned 150-seat theater as the Malsi Doyle and Michael Forman Theater.

Forman’s recent gift follows previous naming gifts from notable alumni including, Gary M. Abramson, BA ’68; Laird Anderson, MA ’73; James Brady, BA ’89; Rhonda Joy Brown, BA ’76; Richard L. Brown, MA ’79, Patrick Butler, MA ’96; Alisyn Camerota, BA ’88; Jack C. Cassell, BA ’77; Jennifer D. Collins, BA ’94; David Drobis, MA ’65; Carey Marie Earle, BA ’88; Noël F. Greene, BA ’95; Joy Thomas Moore, BA ’72, MA ’73; Tony Perkins, BA ’81; Rodger Streitmatter, PhD ’88; and Susan Zirinsky, BA ’74.

Construction on the $26 million restoration project is scheduled to begin later this year with expected completion during the 2013-2014 academic year. Read full announcement