BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) - South Dakota State University says a fundraising campaign that began in 2007 has surpassed its $220 million goal.

Officials say the It Starts with STATE campaign that is scheduled to end Dec. 31 has received commitments of nearly $220.5 million as of this week.

The effort has resulted in 14 capital projects funded largely or exclusively through private gifts. They include the $44 million Avera Health and Science Center and the $100,000 gateway monuments that welcome visitors to campus.

The SDSU Foundation's Council of Trustees unanimously voted to proceed with the university's campaign in April 2008, just months before the nation entered an economic recession.

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