With doctorate degrees in communication and long, distinguished careers
in higher education, Drs. Robert and Laurel Vartabedian are dedicated to making
a difference in the lives of university students. That dedication has led them
to make a personal financial commitment of more than $100,000 to Missouri
Western State University, where Dr. Robert Vartabedian serves as president.
With the gift, the Vartabedians establish a new donor recognition program called
the President’s Centennial Circle.
“I really believe in this University
and in this community, and Laurel and I wanted to show that in a tangible way,”
Dr. Vartabedian said. “As I have said many times, some universities enhance the
lives of their students. I truly believe that Missouri Western transforms the lives of its students.”
The Missouri Western State
University Foundation is preparing for a capital campaign, to be conducted in
conjunction with Missouri Western’s centennial celebration in 2015. The
Vartabedians’ gift helps jumpstart the planning efforts for that campaign, said
Jerry Pickman ’85, vice president for University Advancement and executive
director of the Foundation.
“Donors want to know that the people
seeking their financial support are themselves deeply committed to the cause,”
Pickman said. “This gift by the Vartabedians is a strong demonstration of that
commitment.”
The Vartabedians have pledged a
total of $144,000 to the future campaign. Most of the gift is undesignated at
this point, but a small portion is supporting the revival of a speech and
debate team at Missouri Western.
The Vartabedians’ gift also
inaugurates a new donor recognition program, the President’s Centennial Circle,
which will recognize donors with a lifetime history of giving $100,000 or more
to the University.
“As we prepare to solicit
leadership gifts for this capital campaign, I cannot ask others to do something
that I am not willing to do,” Dr. Robert Vartabedian said. “Laurel and I want
to make a difference, and Missouri Western is the culmination of our lives’
work.”
Dr. Vartabedian became president in July 2008. Under his leadership, Missouri Western has completed four major
construction projects totaling more than $65 million, become the summer
training camp home of the Kansas City Chiefs, formed a unique entrepreneurial
education partnership with Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, and most recently
dedicated a permanent memorial to legendary journalist and St. Joseph-born
Walter Cronkite.
Dr. Laurel Vartabedian is a lifelong educator. She has been a supporter of the arts at Missouri Western, including
helping to found both the annual “Lights and Tights” Renaissance Feast
fundraiser and the Missouri Western Arts Society. She co-wrote two musicals
that have been produced in New York City. “American Story” won the Best of
Festival award at the Midtown International Theatre Festival in 2000. “Mother
Divine” was one of just 10 shows selected for the New York Musical Theatre
Festival’s Next Link Project in 2013. It will be produced in St. Joseph this
summer and is being considered for future professional productions in
California and Texas.
“This university and community mean a great deal to us, and we wanted to lead the charge on this
once-in-a-hundred-years campaign,” Dr. Laurel Vartabedian added.