The Missouri Western State University Foundation kicked off the public phase of its Centennial Capital Campaign with the announcement of three major gifts: the life’s work of an internationally known local artist, an endowment that creates a faculty position in population health, and the largest individual gift in Missouri Western’s history – a $10 million pledge from an alumnus who wishes to remain anonymous. Gifts pledged so far total $16.8 million toward the campaign’s initial celebration goal of $20 million, the largest goal in Missouri Western’s history.

“As we celebrate the University’s 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,” said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western president. “But we also have the opportunity to plan and build support for the next 100 years. Our mission compels us to continue transforming lives.”  

The campaign is co-chaired by Dan and Dale Boulware and Mark and Mary Margaret Laney. Steve Craig, benefactor of the Steven L. Craig School of Business at Missouri Western, serves as honorary campaign chairman.

The five-year campaign focuses on three areas: investment in facilities, particularly renovations to Spratt Memorial Stadium and Potter Hall; investment in endowments; and investment in academic and co-curricular programming.

Jerry Pickman, 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.

“Crucial to the University’s success in the next 100 years is the continued growth of facilities, academic programs and the continued development of a remarkable student experience,” Pickman said. “And community support is vital to this mission.”

The three major leadership gifts announced during the public kickoff Saturday, Jan. 17 at the Potter Hall Theater include:

Brent Collins – Artist’s estate

“Music of the Spheres” by Brent Collins sits outside Remington Hall on the Missouri Western campus.

Brent Collins, internationally known “mathematically driven” sculptor, intends to gift his entire artist’s estate to the University. A permanent loan agreement was recently signed, and the collection will be housed on campus.

“This is a monumental gift to the University,” said Dr. Vartabedian. “We sincerely appreciate his generosity.”

Collins currently has two works on the Missouri Western campus. He was the creator of the work in the Remington Hall atrium, “Evolving Trefoil,” and the sculpture on the lawn of Remington Hall, “Music of the Spheres.”

Artist Brent Collins will permanently loan his artist’s estate to Missouri Western State University.

His work has been displayed all over the world, including the University of Michigan, H&R Block Headquarters, the American Association for the Advancement of Science headquarters in Washington, D.C. and the UNESCO World Conference on Science in Budapest, Hungary.

“My work communicates the beauty of mathematics in clarified visual form,” Collins says.

Mosaic Life Care – $1.5 million

A 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’s history, helping establish a bachelor’s degree program that will be unique in the nation.

“We are extremely grateful for Mosaic’s generous gift which will enable us to recruit and retain a highly qualified faculty member in this growing field,” said Dr. Vartabedian. “In 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 ‘game-changer’ for Missouri Western.”

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.

“The health–care industry is changing rapidly. There is a growing need for health–care professionals who are prepared to manage various aspects of population health,” said Mark Laney, MD, president and CEO of Mosaic Life Care and campaign co-chair. “Mosaic and Missouri Western have been partners in the work of educating tomorrow’s health caregivers. I’m pleased that we have strengthened that partnership.”

Missouri Western’s 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 the nation.

Anonymous Donor – $10 million

An alumnus who wishes to remain anonymous has committed to making Missouri Western the beneficiary of the single largest gift in the university’s history to date: $10 million. When received, the gift will establish a general endowment fund to support the university’s mission.

“We are so grateful to this alumnus, not just for this pledge but for the many ways he has supported Missouri Western over the years,” Pickman said. “He truly recognizes the impact Missouri Western has on the region, and this gift intention will leave a lasting legacy on the university.”

The Foundation’s endowment ensures permanent resources for scholarships and support of university programs. Last year, the Foundation awarded scholarships totaling more than $806,000 to 528 students, and funded almost $50,000 to help 130 students attend and present research at national and international conferences.

“This gift and other endowment gifts will help the Foundation fund even more scholarships and enhance students’ educational experience,” Pickman said. “These endowment funds generate sustaining support for the next 100 years and beyond.”

President’s Centennial Circle

Thanks to a leadership gift from Drs. Bob and Laurel Vartabedian, Missouri Western inaugurated the President’s Centennial Circle to recognize donors with a lifetime giving history of $100,000 or more. Two members of Missouri Western’s administration have recently joined the President’s Centennial Circle.

Other Gifts

In addition to the artist’s estate, Mosaic’s gift and the anonymous $10 million pledge, the Foundation announced they had received the following number of leadership gifts and pledges during the campaign’s quiet phase:

  • $25,000 to $99,000 – Ten
  • $100,000 to $249,000 – Nine
  • $250,000 to $499,000 – Two
  • $500,000 to $999,000 – Three
  • $1,000,000 and over – One

For more information about Missouri Western’s Centennial Capital Campaign, visit www.missouriwestern.edu/campaign or call the Missouri Western State University Foundation at 816-271-5647.

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.