Those involved with the campaign say Rudenstine's role was crucial to its success.
"He's not been shy about fundraising," Fineberg says. "He has played a key role in the vast majority of these major gifts."
The unconditional support of the president is crucial to the success of the campaign, Fineberg adds.
Many say Rudenstine invests hours in personally soliciting gifts from alumni and friends and then individually thanking them for their contributions.
"He is just incredible in that he writes thousands of personal letters every year," says Peter L. Malkin '55, the donor who gave money to build the Malkin Athletic Center. "He sees hundreds of people."
Boardman says that, over the last five or six years, Rudenstine has met annually with 90 to 100 people one-on-one to discuss fundraising possibilities or initiatives the University is hoping to raise money for.
Every year, Rudenstine attends 25 or 30 lunches and dinners with between 15 and 30 people each and 15 dinners each year with 75 to 200 people, according to Boardman.
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