In the fall of 2016, Mississippi University for Women dipped its toe in new water, metaphorically-speaking.
Never in the university’s then-132 year history had the school attempted a capital campaign, money that could be set aside for scholarships, endowment and capital projects at the school. The results of a survey suggested potential donors were interested, though.
Initially without much fanfare, MUW began seeking donors in 2017 through a “quiet campaign.” The university set a goal of $15 million, yet within five years, fundraising had reached $18 million.
In June 2021, MUW President Nora Miller went public with the campaign, soliciting donations from the public with a goal of $25 million. Miller said they hoped to raise the additional $7 million to reach the goal by the end of 2024.
This week, Miller announced that the public portion of the fundraising effort, called Be The Light, had passed the original goal of $25 million in less than two years.
Achieving this goal speaks much about the health of the university, the confidence alumni and donors have in the leadership of the university and the optimism that surrounds The W as it moves forward.
The success of this capital campaign suggests the university is on firm footing, not only with today’s students, but with the alumni, faculty, staff and community.
Encouraged by this success, The W is launching a new $13 million “A Home for the Future” campaign to renovate Shattuck Hall — which has until recently been home to the Culinary Arts Institute — as a new gathering place for alumni and friends of the university to connect and reconnect.
In the competitive world of higher education, there is no standing still. If you’re not moving forward, you are falling behind.
We congratulate MUW on achieving this fundraising goal and all who contributed to that effort.
We have no doubt that the Shattuck Hall campaign will be successful as well.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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