MSU leaders are kicking off the public phase of the university’s largest fund-raising effort Friday in grand fashion as they hope to raise around $1 billion by 2007. The day promises to be an historic one for MSU as all living former university presidents will be on campus for the celebration.

In all, it’s not a bad start for the major undertaking.

The Board of Trustees is set to announce a fund-raising goal Friday that could exceed $1 billion. University leaders say more than half that goal has been reached during the past two years as efforts were conducted out of the public spotlight.

MSU’s last capital campaign ran from 1986 to 1994 and surpassed its $160 million goal by collecting more than $200 million.

Goals are made to be set high, and the $1 billion goal is definitely high. The only way for the university to raise the money is for the students and alumni to cooperate. The administration can use any method to try and raise the money, but it’s all up to us.

Whether you’re a current or past Spartan - even if you’re not a Spartan at all - if MSU has given to you, you should consider giving back in some way. MSU is your university, and you should take pride in it.

Money raised in this campaign will be used for projects from creating a bronze Sparty to funding new scholarships.

By giving back to MSU, we not only keep that tradition, but we continue to improve upon it.