MSUM Alumni Foundation has record fundraising year
Alumni and donors stepped forward in record fashion at Minnesota State University Moorhead, raising more than $9.1 million in new cash and pledges during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015.
The pace for the record setting year was set in September at Homecoming with $1.2 million raised during a special event, Laps for the Long Run, which celebrated the inauguration of MSUM President Anne Blackhurst. That event included a $1 million donation for artificial turf at Scheels Field that will be used by intercollegiate athletics, intramurals and club sports.
In February, the largest gift in the university’s history was announced when Rodney and Carolyn Paseka donated $5 million to support student scholarships and other program needs within the Paseka School of Business. In April, another major gift was announced, an anonymous donation of $1.5 million endowed for scholarships in the College of Business and Innovation.
“It is easy to see the many impacts these large gifts have on our students,” said Anne Blackhurst. “But just as important are the smaller gifts from alumni who launched their careers with a MSUM degree or retirees who have long believed in the transformative power of this university and its students. Every gift is important because of the opportunity it creates for students.”
Money donated to the MSUM Alumni Foundation is used in a variety of ways based on the desire of the donors. Many donors choose to have their gift invested in an endowment that permanently provides for scholarships for future students. Other uses include enhancements to facilities, support of research activities and faculty development.
“It is exciting see how alumni and friends have stepped forward this year to give students opportunities they might not otherwise have enjoyed,” said Scott Nelson, president of the Alumni Foundation. “These gifts are expressions of faith in our students, faculty, and staff, and also in the presidency of Anne Blackhurst. These are exciting times at MSUM, indeed.”
Contributing to the record total was more than $300,000 donated by current and retired faculty and staff.