Infinite Impact campaign exceeds $500 million
Campaign counting for Mississippi State's Infinite Impact has surged past the $500 million milestone, tallying $503.1 million as it continues to climb, placing the overall goal of $600 million well within reach.
"The continued success of Infinite Impact shows the confidence that alumni and friends are placing in Mississippi State and its ability to excel as a premier institution of higher learning," said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. "MSU continues to play a critical role in moving our state forward and in forging a path of national and global impacts in education and research."
The multi-year fundraising endeavor began with a leadership gift phase in 2010, and was publicly announced in 2013 with nearly $345 million in commitments already in hand. Since then, more than $158 million in gifts and pledges has been added.
"Infinite Impact is already by far the most successful campaign in our institution's history," said John P. Rush, vice president for development and alumni who serves as MSU Foundation CEO. "Three years remain in our initial time frame, however we anticipate surpassing the $600 million mark ahead of schedule because of record years of support from generous contributors."
Over its 137-year-old history Mississippi State has experienced much success as an institution with comprehensive fundraising campaigns, and the expectations of Infinite Impact remain high. The university's two previous capital campaigns were overwhelmingly successful for their time periods -- the first raising more than $143 million from 1992-1997; the second more than $462 million from 2001-2008. Thousands of alumni and friends contributed as part of these campaigns, which had lasting results for the growth and sustainment of the university.
To date, over 46,968 contributors have made commitments for Infinite Impact.
All gifts, pledges and deferred gifts, including those to athletics, are counted in Infinite Impact totals. Some campaign highlights include:
-- $119 million for annual and endowed scholarships;
-- $46.9 million in faculty support; and
-- $50.2 million in facility support.
The campaign is having an impact beyond overall giving totals. Since Infinite Impact's inception, 325 new endowed scholarships have been created to assist students in many areas of study. This brings the university's total to 1,363. Additionally in the campaign, 24 new endowed faculty positions will be utilized with the 50 previously established to help Mississippi State attract and retain top educators and researchers with chairs and professorships.
"Generations of people will benefit from the expanded scholarships, improved learning and research opportunities, and new facilities that campaign giving will provide," said Rush. "These gifts are having an immeasurable impact because they are allowing our university to take the talents of students and expertise of faculty and positively further our impact into the world in which we live."
All outright gifts, pledges and deferred gifts for Mississippi State through 2018, including those to the Bulldog Club, will be considered Infinite Impact contributions.
For more on the campaign, visit www.infiniteimpactmsu.com or contact Rush at john.rush@msstate.edu or 662-325-9306.
Discover more about Mississippi's flagship research university at www.msstate.edu or www.meridian.msstate.edu, facebook.com/msstate, pinterest.com/msstate, instagram.com/msstate and twitter.com/msstate using the hashtag #WeRingTrue.
Amy Cagle | MSU Foundation
