Contact: Sammy McDavid
Dennis A. Prescott
At the mid-point of its 125th anniversary, Mississippi State University is being recognized for achievements in fund raising by an international education support organization.
Dennis A. Prescott, vice president of external affairs, recently accepted the 2003 Circle of Excellence Award at the annual philanthropy conference of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. The gathering was held in Washington, D.C., where CASE headquarters are located.
Prescott, who also is chief operating officer of the MSU Foundation, said "it is extremely gratifying for Mississippi State University to be nationally honored by peer institutions for our successes in fund raising.
"I was thrilled to accept this award on behalf of Mississippi State, our entire development team, and generous alumni and friends of the university," he added.
The MSU advancement program is one of only four at public research/doctoral-degree granting universities recognized this year for overall improvements in fund raising. The others include Michigan State and North Carolina State universities, as well as the University of Missouri--Kansas City.
Rankings are based on analysis of an annual survey by the Council for Aid to Education, which has conducted research on private support of education since the mid-1950s.
Since MSU's fund-raising efforts have broken records in recent years, Prescott said he was "not surprised by the announcement." The MSU Foundation has topped the $40 million mark in total gifts raised for the past four years, averaging $52.7 million per year, he said.
Also, he added, fiscal year 2001-02 resulted in the largest giving year recorded in university history.
Richard Armstrong, the foundation's executive director, echoed Prescott's remarks.
"Private support impacts every aspect of Mississippi State University," Armstrong said. "The success we have achieved is attributable to our loyal alumni and friends who have generously supported the university's academic and athletic endeavors."
Armstrong said overall fund-raising improvement awards were based on "significant program growth across the past three years."
In compiling its research on fund-raising achievements by universities and colleges, the Council on Aid to Education also recognizes an institution's overall performance in fund raising, based on growth and breadth of support, he said.
NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For additional information on MSU fund-raising achievements, contact Mr. Prescott at (662) 325-9306 or dprescott@exaffairs.msstate.edu. Mr. Armstrong may be reached at 325-8852 or rarmstrong@foundation.msstate.edu.