Estate pledges $12M to MSU, CFO

Photo provided by Missouri State University

The late Linda and Larry Hale are behind the donation.

An estate pledged $12 million to Missouri State University and Community Foundation of the Ozarks.

The funds are earmarked for MSU student scholarships, specifically those from Barton and Vernon counties. MSU's $6 million is slated to fund agriculture scholarships at MSU's Darr College of Agriculture, while CFO's half goes toward students in the counties, regardless of their degree program, according to a news release.

The estate is in the name of the late Linda Hale, who with her husband, Larry, worked in the real estate business for more than 40 years. The MSU alumni also farmed and raised cattle most of their lives. Larry Hale also is deceased.

“Linda chose to leave the bulk of her estate to scholarships for MSU students because she and Larry were both grateful for the education they received at MSU. They credited their education for their success in life,” said George Nichols, trustee for Linda Hale’s estate, in the release. “She was passionate about helping students attend Missouri State and obtain a college degree.”

MSU and CFO each received $2.25 million to start. The $12 million is expected to be paid in the future.

The donation is part of MSU's $250 million Onward Upward capital campaign announced last year, according to the release.

The campaign has brought in roughly $180 million of its goal, said MSU spokesperson Andrea Mostyn.