Missouri Western\u2019s Centennial year offers a unique opportunity to reflect with pride on all that the University has accomplished, and to plan with anticipation for the next 100 years. Several initiatives are in place to launch a vision for the next 100 years, including a Centennial Capital Campaign, a master plan and an energy audit.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/b>Centennial Capital Campaign<\/b><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Missouri Western\u2019s Centennial Capital Campaign, which kicked off in January 2015, is the centerpiece of the University\u2019s vision for the next 100 years. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201c<\/b>As we celebrate the University\u2019s Centennial this year, we have an opportunity to reflect on the past 100 years and the nearly 25,000 students who have benefited from earning a Missouri Western education,\u201d said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western president. \u201cBut we also have the opportunity to plan and build support for the next 100 years. Our mission compels<\/p>\n
us to continue transforming lives.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 <\/b><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/b>Dr. Mark Laney agreed. \u201cFor 100 years, Missouri Western has earned our trust. Now it is time for us to invest in them because they deserve it,\u201d he said. \u201cAs the university goes, so goes the community.\u201d Dr. Laney is one of the campaign co-chairs with his wife, Mary Margaret, and Dan and Dale Boulware.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/b>The five-year campaign focuses on three areas: investment in facilities, investment in endowments and investment in academic and co-curricular programming. A $20 million initial celebration goal has been set, and more than $16.8 million was raised in the silent phase of the campaign.<\/p>\n
Jerry Pickman \u201985, vice president for university advancement and executive director of the Missouri Western State University Foundation, noted that the campaign is a comprehensive, donor-centered effort, and the University will always honor donor-designated gifts. Donors may also leave their gifts undesignated.<\/p>\n
\u201cCrucial to the University\u2019s success in the next 100 years is the continued growth of facilities, academic programs and the continued development of a remarkable student experience,\u201d Pickman said. \u201cAnd community support is vital to this mission.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have one thing in common, we all love this community and this university,\u201d Dan Boulware said. \u201cWe are all Griffons.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/b>Goal 1: Investment in Campus Facilities:
\n<\/b>Spratt Memorial Stadium and Potter Hall<\/b><\/p>\n
The University\u2019s strategic plan and the master plan identified renovations to Spratt Memorial Stadium<\/b> as a priority need for Missouri Western. Funded by private donations and bonding, renovations will begin this spring and are scheduled for completion in fall 2015.<\/p>\n
In November 2014, the Board of Governors approved a statement of intent to proceed with a $5.5 million auxiliary system revenue bond issue to pay for improvements to the stadium.
\nThe Griffon Indoor Sports Complex, home of the Kansas City Chiefs Summer Training Camp, has strengthened the University\u2019s ability to engage the community and region in numerous athletic, wellness and health initiatives while providing an unparalleled experience and serving as a key recruitment tool. Yet, the home side of Spratt Stadium and the concourse area has not received improvements for many years.<\/p>\n
Areas in the stadium are not accessible to people with disabilities, and due to increased fan support, the ticket office, restrooms and concession areas are overcrowded. Increased Gold Coat Club membership has created a need for more premium seats and suites.<\/p>\n
\u201cMissouri Western athletes are recognized both regionally and nationally, and its facilities must reflect the University\u2019s commitment to competitive and exceptional athletic teams,\u201d said Kurt McGuffin, director of Athletics.
\nPlans are for construction of a new concourse, which includes an expanded concessions area, additional restrooms, a team store to sell merchandise, a ticket office, and a Hall of Fame room and reception area. The renovations also include the construction of up to 14 corporate suites, elevator and accessibility improvements, a new media area, more chair-back seating and an upgraded scoreboard\/video board.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe renovated stadium will provide modern and improved facilities that will contribute tremendously to the overall fan experience,\u201d McGuffin said. \u201cBoth athletes and fans will benefit from the improvements.\u201d<\/p>\n
Renovations to Potter Hall<\/b>, which houses the Department of Music; Department of Theatre, Cinema and Dance; and the Department of Art; has been recognized as a critical need in the University\u2019s strategic plan and master plan, and the renovations and expansion of the building have been listed a priority for Missouri Western at the state level for nearly 20 years.<\/p>\n
Graduates in the arts are employed throughout the region in the fields of graphic design, advertising, media, broadcasting, cinema, museum curation and more. Since 2007, enrollment in arts programs has grown 62 percent, and at the same time, attendance has grown at the University\u2019s theatre productions, art exhibits and musical performances.<\/p>\n
As part of the Centennial Capital Campaign, an approximately 13,000 square-foot state-of-the-art performance hall with seating for 500-plus is proposed, along with a foyer and reception area, and an outdoor sculpture garden.<\/p>\n
Last year, reserve funds were used to renovate restrooms and office space in Potter Hall, add a circle drive on the west side the building, and build a percussion room.<\/p>\n
Goal 2: Investment in Missouri Western\u2019s Endowment <\/b><\/p>\n
Missouri Western\u2019s Foundation provides needed funding for scholarships and innovative programs, and increasing its endowment ensures permanent resources for those needs. This goal will fund scholarships, program and general operations of the Foundation, and the University has already received several gifts for its endowment.<\/p>\n
For the academic year 2013-14, the Foundation awarded scholarships totaling more than $806,000 to 528 students. Additionally, it funded almost $50,000 for 130 students to attend and present their research at national and international conferences.<\/p>\n
\u201cSupporting this campaign will help the Foundation fund even more scholarships and enhance students\u2019 educational experience,\u201d Pickman said. \u201cIt is endowment funds that will generate sustaining support for the next 100 years and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n
Goal 3: Investment in Academic and Co-curricular Programming<\/b><\/p>\n
According to Pickman, this focus of the campaign will support programs, equipment and emerging needs. Currently, these needs are met with donations to the University\u2019s Annual Fund. Pickman said he hopes donors will continue to support the Annual Fund and consider an additional gift to the campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur donor support has always been phenomenal,\u201d he said. \u201cWe truly understand that the support we receive from our alumni, our friends and the community is vitally important to our future, and we greatly appreciate it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe we are at a critical juncture in our history, and I am excited to plan for our future,\u201d \u00a0\u00a0Dr. Vartabedian said. \u201cSince our founding in 1915 as the St. Joseph Junior College to our evolution as a modern, vibrant campus that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, our commitment to improve and transform the lives of students has never changed.\u201d<\/p>\n
-end-<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/b>Mosaic Life Care endows professorship for population health\u00a0 <\/b><\/p>\n
A Centennial Capital Campaign leadership gift of $1.5 million from Mosaic Life Care will endow a professorship in the field of population health. The Mosaic Professorship for Population Health is the first endowed professorship in Missouri Western\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are extremely grateful for Mosaic\u2019s generous gift which will enable us to recruit and retain a highly qualified faculty member in this growing field,\u201d said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western\u2019s president. \u201cIn turn, we envision tremendous strides in population health outcomes for our region and beyond. I believe this gift has the potential to produce truly pioneering work and be a \u2018game-changer\u2019 for Missouri Western.\u201d<\/p>\n
Population health is an approach to health that steps beyond the individual-level focus of traditional clinical and preventive medicine by addressing a broad range of factors that impact health on a population level.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe health\u2013care industry is changing rapidly. There is a growing need for health\u2013care professionals who are prepared to manage various aspects of population health,\u201d said Dr. Mark Laney, president and CEO of Mosaic Life Care and co-chair of the Centennial Capital Campaign. \u201cMosaic and Missouri Western have been partners in the work of educating tomorrow\u2019s health caregivers. I\u2019m pleased that we have strengthened that partnership.\u201d<\/p>\n
Missouri Western\u2019s proposal to create a Bachelor of Science in Population Health Management will be considered by the Coordinating Board for Higher Education in early 2015. Coursework would include biology, sociology, psychology, medical terminology, epidemiology, healthcare policy, ethics, analytics, communication and business. If approved, it will be the first undergraduate degree program in population health in Missouri.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/b>Campaign Volunteers<\/b><\/p>\n
Honorary Chair<\/b><\/p>\n
Steven L. Craig<\/p>\n
Campaign Co-chairs<\/b><\/p>\n
Dan and Dale Boulware<\/p>\n
Dr. Mark and Mary Margaret Laney<\/p>\n
Members<\/b><\/p>\n
Eric Bruder<\/p>\n
Dr. Jeanne Daffron<\/p>\n
Pat Dillon<\/p>\n
Dr. Cale Fessler<\/p>\n
Karen Graves<\/p>\n
Kurt McGuffin<\/p>\n
Michael Meierhoffer<\/p>\n
Shana Meyer<\/p>\n
Mallory Murray<\/p>\n
Dr. Krikor Partamian<\/p>\n
Roy Tewell<\/p>\n
Dr. Robert Willenbrink<\/p>\n
Zack Workman<\/p>\n