Missouri State campaign gets three gifts, passes $100M

Three major gifts to Missouri State University's comprehensive campaign have pushed the total over the $100 million mark, and the university is doing something it has never done before as a sign of appreciation.

"Our Promise: The Campaign for Missouri State University" has a $125 million fundraising goal, according to the campaign announcement made Aug. 28. At that time, $94 million had been received or pledged.

As thanks for the three new gifts, each for an undisclosed amount, the university will name academic units for the donors for the first time in the school's history.

In recognition of a gift from William H. and Virginia Darr to the Darr Agricultural Center, the school will rename the agriculture program the William H. Darr School of Agriculture. Both Darrs are MSU alumni, and William Darr is a past member of the school's Board of Governors, past president of the Missouri State Foundation, and he led the 2005 comprehensive campaign that exceeded its $50 million goal.

The school will rename the archaeology center the Bernice Warren Center for Archaeological Research in honor of an estate gift from Bernice "Bernie" Warren. Warren was a member of the university faculty 1969-1999, beginning in the English department and moving into administration, where she was the school's first female dean when she led what is now the College of Humanities and Public Affairs.

A third gift from an unnamed donor will go toward the proposed University Recreation Center.

The $32 million, 100,000-square-foot facility is being funded primarily through a student-initiated student fee, with construction scheduled to begin early next year to be open for fall 2011. The plans for the facility include two gyms, a multipurpose court, an indoor track, a fitness center, locker rooms and multipurpose rooms.

"These three significant gifts cover a wide range of needs at the university and come from three individuals and families who have a long connection with Missouri State," Missouri State President Michael Nietzel said in a news release. "We very much appreciate their generous contributions and we are thrilled that they move us above the $100 million milestone for the campaign."