Alumni & Development
A Message from the Director of Development
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has a renewed sense of purpose as it prepares for anticipated growth with the aid of a new university-wide fundraising initiative known as StatePride. The four-year endeavor seeks private funds to grow the university's enrollment.
The StatePride initiative will allow the university to award need-based scholarships for deserving students and academic scholarships to compete for the best and brightest students. It also will include support to recruit and retain high-caliber faculty members and increase faculty research and development opportunities in all areas of study. In all, $100 million is needed by way of StatePride to fulfill these university-wide goals.
Although efforts over the next few years will emphasize gifts designated for scholarships and annual faculty support, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will continue to seek additional funds for other vital areas. One such focus includes private gifts for the expansion and renovation of the Lloyd-Ricks facility, one of MSU's oldest structures.
Restoration work is currently under way on the project, and a number of areas within the facility are available as naming opportunities. Alumni and friends may name classrooms, laboratories and other spaces in honor or in memory of loved ones, faculty members and former classmates.
Many individuals are sometimes intrigued to find there are numerous avenues, other than outright gifts of cash, for them to give back to their university. Gifts such as appreciated securities, corporate matching gifts, in-kind gifts, real estate gifts and gifts of personal property are just a few of the unique methods of outright giving that make a lasting impact on a particular MSU college or department.
As director of development for CALS, I help donors understand the specifics of giving gifts for today and those planned gifts which can impact the university in the future. Planned gifts, such as bequests, charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts, are a frequently overlooked method of giving. In addition to providing significant tax advantages and potential life income, planned gifts are also an excellent way to ensure that your charitable goals will be met.
I sincerely hope Mississippi State remains among your favorite charities in the coming years. Each and every gift truly makes a difference. Together, our efforts can lead to mutually rewarding results.
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.