HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Gifts and pledges to the Marshall University Foundation are up, and foundation officials hope the trend will continue.

Figures from the foundation show gifts and pledges rose from $15.5 million during the 2010-11 fiscal year to $25.8 million during the 2011-12 fiscal year.

Foundation officials say a factor in the increase was a major fundraising campaign linked to construction and renovation of academic and athletic facilities.

Foundation CEO Ron Area told The Herald-Dispatch that people get excited when they see progress and want to be a part of it.