Contact: Sammy McDavid
Mississippi State announced Friday [Oct. 8] the most ambitious major gifts campaign in the university's 126-year history.
Titled "State of the Future: The Mississippi State Campaign," the fund-raising effort to continue through 2008 seeks $400 million in private support for student scholarships and fellowships, endowed faculty positions, new and renovated facilities, and program enhancements.
MSU has been in the "silent" phase of the campaign for the last three years, reaching the halfway mark--$200 million--before beginning the public launch of its efforts, said Dennis A. Prescott, vice president for external affairs.
"The MSU Foundation and a volunteer steering committee led by alumnus Richard C. Adkerson have successfully sought large, leadership-level gifts to ensure a successful start to the campaign," Prescott said. Adkerson, a 1969 graduate and New Orleans resident, is president and chief executive officer of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold.
Specifically, the "State of the Future Campaign" seeks:
--$96.9 million for endowed scholarships and fellowships;
--$61.5 million for endowed faculty chairs and professorships;
--$106.2 million for new and renovated facilities;
--$85.5 million for educational and other program enhancements; and
--$49.9 million in annual and other support.
The "State of the Future" theme was selected to convey the advanced level of progress Mississippi State desires to achieve, said MSU President Charles Lee.
"This campaign will help the university accelerate its momentum in the pursuit of excellence in our teaching, research and outreach missions," Lee said. "By providing more scholarships, distinguished faculty positions, improved facilities, and enhanced educational programs, the campaign will help ensure a brighter future for the people of our state, and in particular, their sons and daughters.
"I remain convinced that this institution is the most critical catalyst for the future of Mississippi," he added.
Prescott said all contributions to the university through Dec. 31, 2008, will be considered a commitment to "State of the Future." Gifts to the Bulldog Club and other athletic programs also will count toward the goal, he said.
For more information on the campaign, contact Amy Cagle of the MSU Foundation at [toll-free] 1-877-MSSTATE or (662) 325-7000.