MSU's Greg Onstot announces retirement

Greg Onstot, vice president for university advancement, will retire Dec. 31 after 24 years, though he will remain in a part-time capacity to complete his role as chair of the JQH Arena Planning Committee. He and his wife, Nancy, plan to stay in Springfield.

The university will begin a national search for Onstot’s replacement immediately.

Onstot told the university he had considered retiring last summer but wanted to stay to assist MSU President Michael Nietzel, hired in July, through his transition.

“Greg has been a terrific asset for me during my first year here – he deserves much of the credit for the success we have had,” Nietzel said in a news release. “He has been a tremendous asset to the university for more than two decades, and he and Nancy will be truly missed.”

Onstot came to MSU in March 1982 as its first director of development and alumni relations. He served in that position for two years before being appointed to his current position.

Since then, Onstot has supervised development and alumni relations, university relations, intercollegiate athletics, Hammons Student Center/Plaster Sports Complex and the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. He also serves as executive director of the MSU Foundation, the fund-raising arm of the university.

During Onstot’s tenure, MSU’s annual fund-raising programs have grown to the point that nearly every department receives private gift support. In 2005, the foundation had its second most successful year and raised $9 million through 34,800 gifts from alumni and friends. Also, as of Feb. 28, the endowment fund within the foundation had a market value of more than $45 million.

Upon announcing his retirement, Onstot expressed gratitude to the various groups that have understood the importance of private giving.

“Tens of thousands of alumni and friends have invested in Missouri State programs over the years,” he said in the release. “All of us at the university are most grateful for such support.”

This story originally appeared in SBJ’s March 31 free e-news Daily Update. Click here to register.