The annual Endowed Scholarship Appreciation Dinner on March 18 brought together more donors, scholarship recipients, and University staff than ever before—247 to be exact. This unique event recognizes the achievements of our endowed scholarship recipients and connects these recipients with the scholarships’ generous donors. Bringing donors back to campus gives us a chance to show our growth and physical changes over the years not just on campus but also through our students.  Events like this are sometimes our donors’ only opportunity to interact and meet students face to face.

Missouri State turned 110 this year and the dinner event was birthday themed to help us all celebrate.  Bear pride filled the room with maroon, white, and festive polka dot balloons on each table. An over-sized birthday card was used for students and donors to sign at the dinner. Bears all week long had been signing the card to help wish MSU a happy 110th!

Brent Dunn, Vice President of University Advancement and Executive Director of the Missouri State University Foundation, gave a fitting history lesson detailing how Missouri State started 110 years ago with fundraising and how those efforts continue to grow each and every year.  Mr. Dunn also gave an overview of the week’s crowdfunding efforts headed by students to give back for the Emergency Scholarship Fund.

Around 165 current scholarship recipients were in attendance this year.  These Bears have stories to tell about how private giving helped them and changed their lives. Here’s to 110 more years of giving back, supporting, and investing in our future Bears!