It has been nearly five years since I wrote Engaging Continuing Education Alumni for this publication and several additional years prior to that since I began talking at various UCEA meetings about the fundraising potential of continuing higher education. During the ensuing period I have been through an institutional capital campaign, helped raise nearly $2.5 million dollars earmarked for school projects, succeeded in making friends and supporters beyond my wildest dreams, and failed miserably in accomplishing the fundraising goals established for the school. This article reflects on the lessons learned by a fundraising novice whose school was engaged in an institutional capital campaign for the first time. With apologies to Hunter Thompson, fear (unfounded) and loathing (unproductive) were but two of the many emotions stirred during this process
