Contact: Kay Jones
As Mississippi State prepares for an upcoming capital campaign, the university is inviting faculty, staff and student ideas in developing a theme.
"Many institutions pay thousands of dollars to advertising agencies to develop campaign themes," said Dennis A. Prescott, vice president for external affairs. "We wanted to involve the campus community in the campaign at the outset."
Observing that the university has many creative thinkers, Prescott added, "I'd like to think someone in our MSU family could originate a theme that captures what we're seeking." MSU Foundation employees are not eligible to participate, he said.
May 2 is the deadline for all entries.
A capital--or major gifts--campaign is a multi-year fund raising and marketing effort designed to dramatically increase the level of private gift support for the university. Mississippi State now is in the "silent" phase, when the MSU Foundation works with volunteers to secure large, leadership-level gifts that ensure campaign success.
"A theme to move the campaign ahead should be memorable and create an emotional connection with the campus community, as well as with alumni and friends of the institution," Prescott said. Additionally, the theme should attract corporate and foundation focuses on the university, he added.
Prescott cited themes adopted by some other major universities, including "Creating the Future Today" at Rutgers, "I Believe in Ohio State" for Ohio State, "Beyond the Boundaries" at Colorado, and "Georgetown Forever" at Georgetown.
The winning MSU campaign theme's creator will receive a $500 award, be featured in a future campaign publication and receive special recognition at a future campaign event, Prescott said. Both the theme and an accompanying logo that will be developed will appear in all campaign materials.
Mississippi State's first-ever major gifts campaign concluded in 1997 after raising more than $143 million in contributions, most of which became part of the university's permanent endowment. Although the new campaign goal has not yet been set, it is expected to exceed the amount raised in the university's initial effort.
Prescott emphasized that the structured fund raising effort seeks to raise funds beyond those required for the university's general operating needs.
"Goals for the campaign center around four key areas, scholarships and fellowships, chairs and other endowed faculty positions, facilities, and other academic programs," he said. "Deans and other unit heads have played the key role in determining the priorities."
Persons wishing to submit a brief campaign theme may do so in one of several ways:
--Online at http://msuinfo.ur.msstate.edu/temp/campaign;
--By mail delivery to Post Office Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762; or
--By campus mail in care of the MSU Foundation at Mail Stop 9520.
For more information on the contest, telephone Amy Cagle at (662) 325-1006.