Historic fundraising campaign reaches $25 million goal; continues with Shattuck renovation

Mississippi University for Women announced that it has exceeded its historic $25 million fundraising campaign goal. The announcement was made this evening during the university’s Magnolia Mingle, one of the many events planned for this weekend’s Homecoming celebration.

The ambitious “Be the Light” campaign has led to new scholarships, cutting-edge learning environments and much more.

W President Nora Miller said, “I am so proud of the contributions that have been made to invest in our campus and our students. These gifts will be the light for our future. I am grateful for the tireless work done by our Foundation Board and Development staff, and for the generosity of our donors.”

In 2017, the MUW Foundation Board voted to move forward with a recommended goal of $15 million over five years.

Four years later, based on the momentum from donors, the university publicly announced that the campaign had exceeded $17 million, increasing the goal to $25 million and extending the campaign three more years.

The campaign focused on four priority areas: endowed scholarships; facilities, technologies and programs; endowments, including faculty endowments; and athletics.

While scholarships were identified as a top campaign priority, Andrea Stevens, executive director of alumni and development, highlighted a few gifts benefiting the university:

• the Bill and Jo-Ann Vandergriff Simulation Learning Lab, a simulation hospital for nursing students
• the Martha Jo Mims Digitization and Conservation Laboratory housed in the University Archives
• the Nancy Knight Gilpin Music Lab and new Steinway baby grand piano in Poindexter Hall
• the Nancy Yates Fellows Program provides students with opportunities for community engagement, research and internships

Stevens said, “The unwavering support from our alumni and friends demonstrates their loyalty to the University and the students we serve. The dollars raised are remarkable, and the impact of those dollars is transformational for our students. On behalf of the MUW Foundation, we are forever grateful to our donors for their generosity in this historic campaign.”

Another highlight of the evening was the announcement of the renovation of Shattuck Hall, which will be a new gathering place for alumni and friends of the university to connect and reconnect.

The $13 million campaign titled “A Home for the Future” will fund a complete renovation of the building. In addition to offices, Shattuck Hall will house:

• a boardroom for MUW Foundation and Alumni Association meetings
• a gathering area just inside the front doors
• an event space with dinner seating for 200
• spaces for faculty and staff to meet
• overnight accommodations for alumni and friends including 10 rooms, three suites and one executive suite
• parking for alumni and guests

Jenny Katool, chair of the MUW Foundation Board of Directors, said, “Shattuck Hall has such a rich and storied past for our alumni. There are so many special memories for alumni who dined and lived in Shattuck and our nursing and culinary arts students who studied in this historic building. We are excited it will be home to our alumni and a place where our students will have the best resources to plan for their careers.”

Guests were invited to help kick off the campaign by ordering a plein air print of “Magnolia Mingle on Shattuck Lawn” by Wyatt Waters. For more information, please call (662) 329-7148.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2023
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124
amperkins@muw.edu