Leo and Carolyn Johnson met while cutting down a Christmas tree when they were students at what was then-Southwest Missouri State University. Decades later, the Johnsons are nurturing a future for generations of Bears and giving them the gift of education. In 2019, they established the Leo and Carolyn Mirts Johnson Scholarship Fund. The fund creates full scholarships for … [Read more...] about Creating Opportunities For COB Students From Two Rural Missouri Counties
This article was originally published in Advancements Magazine Spring 2022 issue. The Missouri State men’s and women’s golf teams were the recipients of a significant gift from Pam and Bernie Burrier in summer 2021. The gift is an endowment for both programs that will be used to support the overall budgets of the teams. The Burriers have previously established endowed … [Read more...] about Pam and Bernie Burrier Men’s and Women’s Golf Endowment
This article was originally published in Advancements Magazine Spring 2022 issue. Public affairs support At Missouri State University, we have a public affairs mission. It’s one of the ways we do education differently. Our students are Citizen Bears. That means they find an emphasis on making the world a better place. No matter their major, Bears learn about ethics and … [Read more...] about How your generosity has shaped MSU: Stories of recent program support
Father-son duo David and Derek Fraley know the value of hard work. When they were growing up, David’s father, David Fraley Sr., taught them a work ethic that has stayed with them throughout college and their careers. “He taught us to do it all,” Derek said, “and if you think you’ve finished your job, you haven’t looked around to see what else needs to be done.” Making … [Read more...] about A legacy that establishes opportunities for others
Many people supported James B. (Jim) Wingfield’s quest for an education: His dad, also named Jim, instilled the importance of a strong work ethic through managing the family’s cattle business on their farm in Goodman, Missouri. A teacher at the two-room country school of his youth went out of her way to pick up four students to ensure they could make it to class. James … [Read more...] about ‘I wanted to do this for her, and also give back to students’