As Mississippi State advances into the new millennium, it is imperative that the university secure additional financial support through the private sector to continue to provide the highest level of excellence in academic, research, and service programs.

Private financial support has become especially critical in helping the institution attract the most talented students from the state and region, raise the academic profile of the student body, strengthen the academic infrastructure of the university through improved libraries and computer networks, and move into the ranks of the top 50 public research institutions.

A major new component of MSU's private support initiative is the Fund for Excellence. This program combines what was previously the Annual Giving Program with the Patrons of Excellence Program. The Fund for Excellence will provide a more streamlined and efficient structure that will make giving simpler for alumni and friends while helping ensure that their gifts have maximum impact.

"We invite our alumni and friends to examine this new and exciting opportunity, and we hope they will consider making a gift and investing in quality education at Mississippi State University," said Lori Smith, director of the Fund for Excellence.

The Fund for Excellence annual giving program will recognize donors who give $100 or more per year.

The goal of the newly established Dean's Club is to provide more than $1 million annually to support college, school, and university priorities.

Dean's Club level gifts are an important source of operational support for university programs, including scholarships, equipment, faculty and staff development, and alumni programs.

Donors may qualify for the Dean's Club by contributing annually to one of the following giving levels:

• Dean's Trustee-$500- $999
• Dean's Scholar-$250- $499
• Dean's Delegate-$100- $249

Gifts may be designated to a particular college, school, department, or unrestricted for use by the university in areas of greatest need.

Donors will receive recognition items that will vary from year to year.

The Patrons of Excellence program was the first significant donor club established by the Mississippi State University Foundation. Launched in 1963 to provide special recognition to individuals, businesses, and groups pledging $1,000 a year, the program now has more than 1,200 members.

Donors may qualify for the Patrons of Excellence by giving an annual gift to one of the following giving levels:

• Patrons Council-$5,000-$9,999
• Patrons Society-$2,500- $4,999
• Patrons Associate-$1,000- $2,499

Gifts may be designated to a particular college, school, or department and/or restricted to a particular program or activity. Gifts also may be unrestricted, for use by the university in areas of greatest need.

All donors receive a Patrons of Excellence lapel pin recognizing their specific giving level and an invitation to an annual special event. Donors will also be recognized in the Alumnus magazine and in the Patrons Proud newsletter.

Patrons Council members receive a wall plaque while Patron's Society members receive a mounted certificate.

In 1983, a new level of giving, the President's Club, was established by the Mississippi State University Foundation. To date, more than 250 individuals, businesses, and groups are members of this prestigious donor club.

Donors may qualify for President's Club membership in one of several ways:

• An outright gift of $10,000 or more in cash;
• securities or a pledge to give $10,000 or more in cash; or $10,000 in securities over five years.
• a gift of real property or a gift-in-kind (equipment, materials, supplies, etc.) valued at $10,000 or more, which is accepted and can be used by the university or a department or college.

Gifts may be designated to a particular college, school, department, and/or restricted to a particular program or activity.

Gifts also may be unrestricted, for use by the university in areas of greatest need.

Permanently endowed funds can be established by committing $15,000 or more. Only the income from endowed funds is used to support scholarships or other university projects or programs.

Donors will receive a wall plaque and be recognized in the President's Club level for the first year of their pledge. Donors will also be recognized in the Alumnus magazine and will be invited to a special event each year they renew their gift.