Last fall, after several years of planning and hard work, the Missouri State University Foundation held a soft launch for a new program called Bears WIN (Women’s Impact Network).
Bears WIN (and Grizzlies WIN on the West Plains campus) is a network of advocates that maximize and honor the impact of women in philanthropy. Its focus is on tackling some of the most serious needs of our students.
By committing to share their time, talent, treasure and/or testimony, network members will collectively bring about positive and lasting change for our students and campus. Gail is one such member who’s actively involved in this effort.
Key areas of support
By 2026, Bears WIN aims to raise $500,000 for three areas that affect students from all backgrounds. The advisory committee members – comprising alumni, faculty, staff and friends – chose these areas based on research and input from many campus leaders.
They are:
- Mental wellness: Financial assistance for students seeking counseling or psychiatric services at Magers Health and Wellness Center.
- Degree completion: Help for students who have exhausted other areas of assistance, but still need financial support to complete a degree.
- Mental wellness and neurodiversity on the West Plains campus: Support for the TJ Swift House ASCEND (Autism Support Can Empower New Directions) Program for students on the autism disorders spectrum who are transitioning out of high school.
Gail and I will give a $5,000 challenge grant on Giving Day for the degree completion fund.
Attend the public launch
I’m excited that the foundation will publicly kick off this impactful program on Feb. 28. The event features an evening with Danica Patrick at 7 p.m. in Juanita K. Hammons Hall.
I encourage you to come to the free event. An inspiring and dynamic speaker, Patrick is not only a former professional racing driver; she’s also an author, business owner, podcast host, sports commentator and women’s advocate.
A big thank you
Support and contributions from two groups of people have helped to make Bears WIN a reality and I want to thank them.
The first is the advisory committee members. They’ve volunteered their time and expertise to get this program off the ground successfully. The second are the generous Bears WIN visionaries – individuals who first gave to our three funds to establish them at the MSU Foundation.
I hope to see you at the launch in a few weeks!
Thanks for all you do at Missouri State.
Clif