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Campaign extends commitment to students, communities

On Aug. 28, 2009, Missouri State University announced to alumni, friends and the campus community that it was launching the largest campaign in its history. Our Promise: The Campaign for Missouri State University set an ambitious goal: $125 million by Dec. 31, 2012.

Today (Jan. 26) campaign co-chairs Tom Strong and Ramona McQueary announced that the goal was exceeded well ahead of schedule, with more than $134,526,000 in total gifts and commitments to date. In addition, they announced that the Our Promise campaign will strive to reach the $150 million level by the campaign’s originally scheduled conclusion.

“The campaign’s success speaks to the strong feelings our alumni and friends have toward Missouri State University,” said Missouri State Interim President Clifton M. Smart III.  “That is very gratifying. And, given the state’s difficult budget situation, the successful campaign comes at a particularly good time to help ensure we continue to provide a highest possible education experience for the next generation of leaders and citizens.”

Since the Our Promise campaign launched, the Missouri State University Foundation has received more than 209,000 gifts, with nearly 70,000 donors giving to the campaign, almost half of them first-time donors. More than 300 new scholarships have been established to date.

In addition, several significant gifts have contributed to numerous campus facilities, including McQueary Family Health Sciences Hall, Greenwood Science Scholars Wing, Darr Agricultural Center, Journagan Ranch, JQH Arena, the Foster Family University Recreation Center, the Robert W. Plaster Center for Free Enterprise and Business Development, Gohn Hall on the West Plains campus and others.

“The members of the National Steering Committee, alumni, friends, faculty, staff and students deserve all of the credit for the success of Our Promise,” said McQueary. “This day is a celebration of a lot of hard work. However, we want to remind everyone that due to the circumstances, there is still work to be done.” 

“Due to the challenge posed by the potential significant cuts to state funding for Missouri State University, the members of the National Steering Committee for Our Promise feel strongly that the campaign should continue,”  said Strong. “This campaign is about helping students realize their dreams and reach their full potential. We will continue to do just that.”

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.  While the campaign has surpassed some of the goals, others remain to be achieved before the Dec. 31 end date.

“We want to thank all our donors for making the campaign so successful and for the involvement of people that truly care about education,” said Brent Dunn, vice president for university advancement. “We still want to involve as many alumni and friends as possible before the campaign concludes at the end of the calendar year.”

More information about Our Promise: The Campaign for Missouri State University is available on the university website at www.ourpromise.missouristate.edu. Anyone wanting to give to the campaign can do so online.