Missouri State University alumni and friends, as well as the campus community, were on hand Aug. 28 for the announcement of the university’s new comprehensive fund-raising campaign: Our Promise: The Campaign for Missouri State University. The highlight of the public announcement came when the goal was announced – $125 million.
The announcement came during the annual Legacy Day festivities, commemorating the name change to Missouri State University and celebrating Missouri State’s traditions, current endeavors and promising future. This is the second comprehensive campaign in the university’s history; the first was $50 million which was exceeded and completed in September 2005. Tom Strong and Ramona McQueary are co-chairs for the Our Promise campaign.
At the Aug. 28 event, Strong, Missouri State President Michael T. Nietzel, Student Government Association President Chris Polley and Faculty Senate Chair Dr. Margaret Weaver all addressed the crowd. Roman Candle, Ha Ha Tonka and The Pride Marching Band provided the entertainment.
“The new comprehensive campaign for Missouri State University is the largest and most important fund-raising effort the university has ever initiated,” Nietzel said. “We chose to call the campaign ‘Our Promise’ very deliberately. The title reflects our aspiration to be an outstanding university known for the unique quality of our student experience, the many advantages of our public affairs mission and the careful stewardship of all our resources. ‘Our Promise’ also emphasizes the commitment the university is making to improving individual lives, strengthening local communities, and promoting economic development.”
Individual goals for the campaign include $48.5 million for facilities, $40 million for enhancement of programs/community engagement, $20 million for student scholarships, $15 million for faculty endowments and $1.5 million for investment in the West Plains campus.
“If you look past the dollar sign and the zeroes, ‘Our Promise’ is ultimately about people – the men and women who will acquire knowledge and fulfill their educational dreams at Missouri State University. It is as simple and yet as complex as that,” Strong said.
The “quiet phase” of Our Promise: The Campaign for Missouri State University has been under way since Sept. 1, 2005. To date, $93,934,531 has been given or pledged to the Campaign, including 551 gifts of $10,000 or more.
More information about Our Promise: The Campaign for Missouri State University is available on the university web site at www.ourpromise.missouristate.edu
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