Alumni & Development
A Message from the Director of Development
At Mississippi State's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, every day brings word of new successes - students who show themselves to be the best in competitions with other institutions, faculty members who achieve highest recognitions from professional organizations or garner major federal grants for research, staff and researchers who have helped increase productivity for Mississippi farms and businesses.
Never has there been a more exciting time to take part in all that is happening here, and I invite you to do so. The university has initiated its largest-ever fundraising effort, State of the Future: The Mississippi State Campaign. This extraordinary campaign not only targets current needs resulting from static state funding, but also looks forward with ambitious goals to what MSU can become in the years ahead. It seeks at least $400 million in private gifts and commitments by December 2008. For the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to build upon its present heights and reach to meet its ever-growing potential, we have set a campaign goal of $23.4 million. Most of these funds will directly affect our primary mission of education through faculty and student support.
It is vital for us to maintain a faculty that is second to none, so we have made endowed chairs and professorships one of our top priorities. In today's competitive environment, endowed positions are crucial to retaining and attracting outstanding educators. Likewise, endowed scholarships and fellowships help draw superior and deserving students, making them more likely to remain in the state after graduation. We want not only to add new endowments in this area but also to bolster existing ones through our new Dean's Development Fund.
Campaign funds will go toward enhanced facilities to improve and expand the educational experience as well. Further, annual fund and other kinds of support will provide students and faculty with the types of experience and professional interaction that enrich them and elevate the national reputation of the College. Your involvement is key to making the vision a reality. I am confident that together we can reach our goal, for the pride and loyalty of our alumni and friends are unsurpassed. We are united in our desire for a College of Agriculture and Life Sciences that is beyond compare.
Staff
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| Jud Skelton - Director of Development |
Charlie Weatherly - Sr. Director of Development |
Amanda Bell - Advancement Coordinator |
Alumni
Thank you for your interest in giving to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Establishing a scholarship is a 10-step process, outlined below. If you have any questions, please contact one of our Directors of Development.
- Contact the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to discuss interest.
- Receive sample gift agreement from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and develop selection criteria.
- Return gift agreement to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences with selection criteria and other information indicated. We will create a new gift agreement that indicates the donor's wishes. Academic area and scholarship office may proof and edit also.
- The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will return the edited gift agreement to the donor for signature.
- Once the signed gift agreement is received from the donor, document is routed for academic signature (if appropriate) and MSU Foundation signature.
- MSU Foundation distributes copies of signed gift agreement to all parties (original is kept on file at the MSU Foundation).
- Donor contributions are received and designated to donor scholarship.
- After earnings accrue, or annual funds are available, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Scholarship Committee awards scholarship based on the gift agreement selection criteria.
- Students receive the scholarship through the university comptroller (scholarship money is applied to tuition, not awarded directly to student).
- Student is encouraged to write donor a letter of thanks.
There are numerous ways to give to Mississippi State and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences:
- Outright gifts - generate the most immediate return for your contributions.
- Planned gifts - allow you to achieve personal benefits while simultaneously providing invaluable support to the university.
- Naming Opportunities - a variety of options exist for donors who wish to pursue naming opportunities.
- Donor Advised Fund - allows the donor to make recommendations on donation disbursement.
- Make a gift - Click here to start making your own personalized gift immediately with a secure online transaction using your credit card.
