Contact: Sammy McDavid
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Private funds from the just-ended fiscal year are propelling Mississippi State's "State of the Future" capital campaign over $382 million on its way to a $400 million goal.
For FY 2007 ending June 30, the university received more than $56.8 million in private gifts and pledges--the third consecutive year in which donations to the campaign exceeded $50 million since its 2001 launch. The total represents 43,905 gifts from thousands of donors, many contributing more than once.
"I continue to be excited by the outpouring of support shown by this university's alumni and friends," said MSU President Robert H. "Doc" Foglesong. "Their generous investments are paving the way for an even stronger Bulldog Nation."
John P. Rush, vice president for development and alumni, said, "We are extremely proud and grateful that so many of our donors see the benefits of supporting Mississippi State with annual gifts and through long-term commitments.
"The $56 million-plus fiscal year places 'State of the Future' a full year ahead of the projected pace needed to reach the campaign's $400 million goal by December 2008," he added.
Since the 2001 campaign launch, more than $62 million has been received for endowed scholarships and fellowships, more than $30.5 million has been raised for endowed faculty positions and just over $40 million has been earmarked for new and renovated facilities and campus enhancements.
In addition, almost $49 million has been used to enhance educational and other programs, including the Shackouls Honors College, Thad Cochran Endowment for Entrepreneurship and the development of learning communities, among others. Donors may earmark their gifts for a particular college, school, initiative, or priority of their choosing.
FY 2007 also ushered in a new fundraising initiative to help achieve the goals of FutureSTATE 2015, a long-range strategic plan to help the university become one of the most respected land-grant institutions in the region.
Rush said FutureSTATE's "Reach for Excellence" initiative, working simultaneously with "State of the Future," will serve as an extension of the campaign and seeks $100 million in private gifts for the university in four priority areas: academic excellence; scholarships, student growth, and development; faculty development; and campus appearance and preservation.
To date, gifts earmarked for "Reach for Excellence" exceed $13 million.
The MSU Foundation administers most of the institution's fundraising activities and endowment funds. The university's endowment currently stands at about $287 million.