Emeritus Professor Bill Armstrong and his wife, Margo, have gifted $25,000 to the MSU jazz studies program after hosting two art gallery fundraising events in November.

Armstrong, co-founder of the Watercolor USA Honor Society, donated more than 30 of his watercolors, oil paintings and drawings for the events, held at his Springfield gallery at 2053 S. Waverly Avenue, Suite A.

Gift used for equipment, maintenance and scholarships

Music Professor Randy Hamm directs the jazz studies program. He said he and Bill, a knowledgeable jazz aficionado, have been friends for many years.

“In it’s first five years, the jazz studies program has established itself as a program of quality, and as we move into the next phase of growth, Bill and Margo’s gift provides a much-needed boost for the programs future. They are beautiful people with amazing generosity and spirit for life.”

Hamm said the gift will be used to purchase music equipment and literature, fund maintenance of existing equipment and provide student scholarships.

Armstrong co-founded MSU’s graphic design program

Armstrong joined MSU in 1963. He helped establish the graphic design program, and was its program director for 20 years. In 1988, he was named emeritus professor.

Armstrong has received more than 50 regional and national awards, including the Philadelphia Watercolor prize for the strongest painting in the Pennsylvania Academy Annual, eight awards in Watercolor USA and two awards in the National Watercolor Society.

His work has been included in four international exhibits, including exhibits sponsored by the American Federation of Arts and the Society of American Graphic Artists.

About the jazz studies program

MSU jazz studies students learn theory and history specific to the genre, practice improvisation and keyboard skills, and take an arrangement course that culminates with writing a piece for a big band.

They can also play in large and small ensembles, like the Jazz Studies Ensemble or Jazz Symposium.

Learn more about the program and performance opportunities in the current issue of the College of Arts and Letters annual magazine.

 

How to give back to the programs you love

The Missouri State University Foundation accepts donations on behalf of programs like jazz studies. Those gifts can be made online at the foundation’s website.

Donors can make a gift in any increment and request the funds be earmarked for a particular college, department, program, scholarship fund, project and more.

Visit the foundation’s website for more information on giving opportunities.