MSU falls just short of fundraising record

The Missouri State University Foundation reported a second straight year of donations totaling more than $20 million.

However, fiscal 2019 donations of $20.1 million were about 6.7% below the record of $21.5 million set in fiscal 2018, said MSU spokeswoman Andrea Mostyn.

“The money we received this year is crucial to the continuing development of the university,” said Brent Dunn, MSU’s vice president of university advancement, in the release. “We are grateful for the continued support and look forward to bettering the MSU experience for everyone who comes through our campus.”

Additionally, $4.2 million in deferred donations were pledged during fiscal 2019. Donations to MSU support student scholarships and programs, faculty research and facility improvements.

Fellow Springfield school Drury University recently reported a 9.4% increase in donations to more than $16.5 million. The donations support a 25-year master plan announced in 2017.

In fall 2018, MSU reported its seventh straight record with enrollment of 24,390 students. Undergraduate day school enrollment at Drury was 1,491 at that time, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.