Elizabeth Phillips of the University Division of Science and Mathematics Education shows Benefactors Plaza to Georgia Old Sunday afternoon behind the Old Horticulture Building. Phillips has her name on one of the pillars for donating money earned from a math curriculum she wrote.
MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon and MSU’s “1,000 closest friends” celebrated a successful fundraising campaign Saturday morning with trumpets and fanfare.
It was hours before the Spartan football team squared off across campus, but the MSU marching band, cheerleaders and dance team highlighted the annual President’s Brunch at Breslin Center, an event celebrating the MSU community of donors.
This year’s brunch was particularly special because it capped off the university’s eight-year Campaign for MSU fundraising program, which surpassed its $1.2 billion goal with a total of $1.44 billion raised.
“We began the campaign with a modest fundraising program,” Simon said. “Now, we’re really on a competitive level that really puts us on par with institutions in the Big Ten and nationally.”
To commemorate donations from the campaign and funds received prior, the university constructed Benefactors Plaza, a garden behind Old Horticulture Building with 15 pillars.
“This Benefactors Plaza is a tribute to the many whose significant financial gifts touch lives, encourage growth and stimulate never-ending progress at this extraordinary institution,” the main pillar reads.
“Their generosity is profoundly appreciated.”
The plaza has three pillars that list names of donors from 1900-99 who contributed $100,000 or more to the university. There are four more to commend those who donated to the Campaign for MSU. The tiers of gift-giving are denoted by “societies” named after prominent donors to the university.
The “never-ending” aspect of the plaza is exemplified in eight pillars that stand blank, potentially awaiting more names.
“We actually have more donor prospects now to cultivate than we did at the beginning,” Simon said.
“Before the competition, we were raising $50-$60 million a year. Now, our target is to raise $150 million a year.”
Simon also noted the significance of the endowments received, totaling $476.1 million. Endowments are permanent funds designated by the donor that can provide long-term stability for university faculty or student programs.
Prior to the campaign, MSU was at the bottom of the Big Ten in terms of endowment funds. Now, it ranks seventh.
Before 1999, MSU had received 118 gifts of more than $1 million. In the last eight years, the university received 207 gifts of $1 million or more, totaling $680.5 million.
None are more notable than the $26 million gift from Eli and Edythe Broad, which will go toward the construction of MSU’s new art museum. It was the largest cash gift from an individual in MSU history.
“The good news about the campaign is 49 percent of the gifts came from individuals,” Simon said.
Simon also said the campaign netted the largest MSU faculty, staff and retirees contribution – $85 million (6 percent of the total) — in the Big Ten to date.
“It’s remarkable when you see that (MSU faculty) salaries are at the bottom of the Big Ten,” she said.
Simon said she and Provost Kim Wilcox will spend time with other administrators and faculty members over the next six to 12 months discussing the completed campaign and how to make future campaigns more successful.
“We’re going to work on tying up loose ends and assessing our donors,” Simon said.
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“This really reflects the momentum of the institution, the confidence people have in the university and high expectations people have for MSU to remain a top-notch institution in the world.”
