Alumni and friends also can support fund

Meridian foundation honors former President Zacharias

A $100,000 donation from the Meridian-based Phil Hardin Foundation is honoring retired Mississippi State University President Donald W. Zacharias.

The contribution establishes the Donald Zacharias Faculty Excellence Endowment at the university.

"The Hardin Foundation joins with friends of learning everywhere in announcing the establishment of the Donald Zacharias Faculty Excellence Endowment," said foundation board president Mark M. Porter. "The Hardin Foundation family is honored to make the lead contribution to this fund" so the work of "a caring and enlightened individual may be remembered, emulated, and continued."

Annual proceeds from the endowed fund will support faculty recognition and development, including rewards for outstanding faculty performance and support for teaching and program improvement. It also will serve as a model for the establishment of other such endowed funds supporting faculty and as a catalyst for ongoing institutional renewal.

The Phil Hardin Foundation was established in 1964 to work for the improvement of education of Mississippians.

Among possible projects supported by the Zacharias Endowment: development of new courses, curricula, and programs, or revision of existing ones; faculty travel to acquire new skills and knowledge; books, materials, and equipment purchases; and the planning and implementation of special academic, artistic, and intellectual events.

"I am most grateful to Mr. Porter and the members of the Hardin Foundation, and I thank you for your generosity," said Zacharias, who announced his resignation last March after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. "This is the greatest gift, one which will enable our faculty to accomplish their missions with even greater vigor than ever possible in the past."

A native of Salem, Ind., Zacharias became Mississippi State's 15th president in September 1985, after serving for six years as president of Western Kentucky University. He also has been an administrator at the University of Texas and a faculty member at Texas and at Indiana University.

Zacharias presently is president emeritus and Board of Trustees, Institutions of Higher Learning Professor, working on projects to advance the university and higher education. He also is a tenured professor in the Communication Department.

Alumni and friends have an opportunity to say thank you to former President Zacharias by making contributions to the Donald Zacharias Faculty Excellence Endowment. The fund is an open fund in the nonprofit Mississippi State University Foundation that may be increased through additional contributions. For more information on supporting the Zacharias Fund, contact the Office of Development at 662-325-3410, or complete and the form below to make a gift to the fund.