Division of Development and Alumni
A Message from the Vice President
Our goal in the Division of Development and Alumni is to channel the efforts, interests and capabilities of our more than 100,000 alumni and friends around the world to better Mississippi State University. Our two interlocking units, the MSU Foundation and the MSU Alumni Association, are set up to complement and enhance the workings of the other.
In December 2007, thanks to the generosity and support of our alumni and friends, we were pleased to exceed the $400 million goal for the ambitious State of the Future capital campaign - a full year ahead of schedule. Private contributions enable the university to provide scholarships for students whose economic situations limit their access to higher education, ensure that students have the opportunity to expand their knowledge in state-of-the-art research laboratories, and help us recruit the best and brightest faculty members to teach and mentor our students. Private support also allows us to maintain our beautiful campus so that it will continue to be both inviting and pride-inspiring for generations to come.
Throughout 2008, we will continue to fulfill the goals set forth in State of the Future, which will continue until December 31, 2008. While our overall $400 million goal has been met and even exceeded, our larger purpose it to create a better, more responsive and more engaged university - and that goal is an ever-expanding one as our university strives to become the region's most respected land-grant institution. We will also focus our efforts on "Reach for Excellence," a fundraising initiative to help MSU meet the goals set forth in the university's long-term strategic plan, FutureSTATE 2015. The initiative seeks additional endowments for four priority areas of the university - areas that will help further propel our institution to success.
In addition to investing their financial resources, our alumni have also proven that they are willing to invest their time - volunteering countless hours each and every year to serve our university. In 2007, more than 30,000 alumni became active members of the MSU Alumni Association, and we expect to see an equal or even greater showing of alumni support in 2008. (You can activate or renew your membership today by making a contribution of any amount to the MSU Annual Fund or Bulldog Club.) The Alumni Association also welcomed three new alumni chapters into its family - including its first international chapter in South Korea - bringing the total number of worldwide chapters to 88. These chapters and their volunteer leadership provide a unique, grassroots network of the MSU faithful, and we are grateful for all that the chapter members and leaders do for our university.
On behalf of the MSU Foundation and the MSU Alumni Association, I want to personally thank you for your investment in Mississippi State. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve my alma mater in this capacity, and I am excited about the future growth of private support and alumni involvement for our university. If you have any questions about the Division of Development and Alumni, please do not hesitate to call me at 662.325.9306, drop by my office in the Hunter Henry Center, or e-mail me at .
John P. Rush
Vice President for Development and Alumni