Feature: MSU Completes Historic Capital Campaign
MSU COMPLETES HISTORIC CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
The university's first major capital campaign raised more than $217 million to help MSU reach a new level of excellence. On May 14, 1993, Michigan State University celebrated the successful conclusion of its MSU 2000: Access to Opportunity capital campaign, the most ambitious fund-raising effort in its history. A total of $217,854,609 was raised to support student and faculty endowment, building projects, and program enhancements.
Officially launched on May 6, 1988, the university-wide campaign finished more than 36 percent above its original $160 million goal. A victory celebration for campaign volunteers and donors, and university faculty, staff and administrators took place at the Wharton Center on May 14, 1993, five years to the month after the campaign kick-off. 'In the beginning, there were those who doubted our resolve,' says MSU President Gordon Guyer. 'But nearly 34,000 donors and hundreds of volunteers-- including alumni, friends, corporations, charitable foundations, and our own faculty and staff--proved the doubters wrong. This is a great achievement for all of us.'
Among the campaign's more visible achievements is the nearly completed 135,400-square-foot business building and the new 7-acre Horticultural Demonstration Gardens. MSU 2000 also supported major renovations at the College of Engineering and the Kellogg Center. A total of $36,915,466 in bricks-and-mortar funds were raised, according to University Development vice president Richard Meyer. 'Most heartening is the increase in our total endowment level,' Meyer adds. 'We went from an institution with a $32 million endowment in 1987, to one with $83.9 in total endowment in 1992.'
Meyer also notes the increase in what he termed 'total voluntary support.' During the campaign's early planning stages, annual private support for MSU stood at $23 million. By 1992, the figure had reached $50 million. 'The steady rise in annual voluntary support is one of the biggest benefits of MSU 2000,' he notes.
Michigan State's capital campaign made news two years ago when business alumnus Eli Broad donated $20 million to support a totally new MBA program. The gift--at the time the largest ever made to a U.S. public university business school--put the campaign 'over the top' of its original target of $160 million. A new goal, $210 million, was set by MSU's Board of Trustees within a month of the Broad gift announcement. 'The fact that we surpassed even the increased goal is a testament to the commitment of MSU's alumni, faculty, and friends,' says Robert Rowan, national campaign chairman of MSU 2000. 'Their devotion has made possible a dozen new professorships and more than 240 new scholarships and fellowships, as well as new laboratories, expanded research opportunities, and stronger programs. Their continuing generosity has brought this university to a new level of excellence.'
ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY NUMBERS
- MSU 2000 Campaign kick-off: May 6, 1998
- MSU 2000 Campaign victory celebration: May 14, 1993
- Goal: $210,000,000
- Total Raised: $217,854,609
- Number of gifts: 12,846
- Number of pledges: 22,057
- Number of donors: 33,879
- Number of alumni who gave: 27,309
- Number of gifts of $1 million and above: 17
- Number of faculty and staff who gave: 3,106
- Number of corporate donors: 1,569
- Largest gift: $20,000,000 from Eli and Edythe Broad
- Smallest gift: Several at $1.00
- First gift: $100,000 for the MSU Federal Credit Union
NEW ENDOWMENTS BY THE NUMBER
- 1 Named and Distinguished Professorship ($1.5 million)
- 1 Named University Professorship ($1 million)
- 6 Named Professorship ($500,000)
- 5 Named Visiting Lectureship ($100,000-$250,000)
- 2 Named Teacher-Scholar Award ($100,000)
- 3 Scholarships/Fellowships
- 241 Other Endowments
- 102 Total endowments established during MSU 2000
- $360 raised by college
COLLEGE/UNIT TOTAL RAISED
- Agriculture and Natural Resources $15,960,661
- Arts and Letters 2,157,231
- Business 38,838,964
- Beaumont Tower 120,186
- Campaign Unrestricted 1,690,270
- Communication Arts 3,207,349
- Education 5,863,843
- Engineering 20,040,464
- Honors College 116,600
- Human Ecology 1,757,513
- Human Health Programs 7,499,869
- Human Medicine 2,486,454
- International Studies and Programs 356,659
- James Madison 92,288
- Library 1,202,071
- Lifelong Education 15,417,893
- Natural Science 8,704,154
- Nursing 2,402,012
- Osteopathic Medicine 940,469
- Social Science 2,276,044
- Univesity-wide 6,684,242
- Urban Affairs 40,044
- Veterinary Medicine 2,679,405
- Not Yet Designated 2,317,424
- Total College/Unit 142,852,109
