MSU gets $1M donation for biz scholarships

After a recent donation, Missouri State University business students have access to more scholarship opportunities.

Independence businessperson, philanthropist, real estate investor and MSU alumnus Phil Roberts donated $1 million to the university’s College of Business, according to a news release. The money will be used to establish the Phil Roberts Scholarship Fund to award $2,000 annually to about 22 business majors who have at least a 3.0 GPA in their studies at the College of Business.

Roberts attended MSU after serving in the military, graduating in 1950 with a degree in finance and general business. All three of Roberts’ sons attended MSU, too. The scholarship is not the first one established by Roberts. In 1983, he created an MSU scholarship in honor of his mentor, Don Calame, and since then it has been awarded to 131 College of Business students.

“A grateful heart gives back,” said Brent Dunn, executive director of the MSU Foundation, in the release. “Phil Roberts fondly recalls his time at Missouri State and has passed down that love to his family. With this endowment, he guarantees more students can attend college that couldn’t otherwise and ensures that they aren’t unnecessarily burdened with student loans.”

The donation is a contributor to MSU’s $250 million Onward Upward capital campaign. The foundation has secured more than $205 million to date, according to past reporting.