Article Category Archives: Giving Matters

Investing in the Future

The St. Louis arch with blue sky and clouds behind itThe St. Louis McNair Scholarship will provide life-changing financial support for Truman students participating in the highly selective Ronald E. McNair Postbaccaulareate Achievement Program. A $400,000 donation from an anonymous alumni couple living in St. Louis established an endowed scholarship to provide a permanent source of funding.

Truman’s McNair Scholars Program is a federal TRIO initiative designed to address obstacles that prevent highly qualified students with strong academic potential from pursuing graduate degrees. Truman has continuously received this competitive funding since 1992 and offers academic and social support through faculty-mentored research experiences, holistic advising for graduate school preparation, peer-to-peer mentorship and paid summer research internships.

Named after NASA astronaut Dr. Ronald E. McNair, Truman’s McNair Program is dedicated to providing academically driven students from first-generation, low-income and minority backgrounds with opportunities to set high career goals in the spirit of McNair’s dedication to his own education.  McNair died on the Space Shuttle Challenger in January 1986, and his legacy lives on through the strengths, hard work and successes of McNair Scholars at Truman and across the United States.

Currently, 85% of Truman’s McNair scholars qualify as low-income. This unique scholarship will provide help for talented students who may not otherwise graduate or attend graduate school without financial assistance. The scholarship is available in their junior year and renewable for seniors progressing through the program. The timing allows students to focus on undergraduate research experiences and graduate application preparation and submission without the burden of taking on additional debt or working long hours while in classes to afford education expenses.


McNAIR PROGRAM BY NUMBERS:

377 Scholars served who are now Truman alumni

82% Truman McNair Program alumni have completed or are currently enrolled in graduate programs

18% attained doctoral degrees

34 McNair Scholars served in 2021-2022

An April to Remember

April 21 is National Bulldogs are Beautiful Day. It’s also a day Truman alumni, family and friends give back and support the next generation of beautiful Bulldogs.

Total raised in 24 hours
$147,438

282 donors

Average donation $254

73% donated more than $60 and got Truman socks!


This year, members of the Alumni Board, Board of Governors and Foundation Board donated more than $35,000 in matching funds. Dollar-for-dollar matches to any Foundation fund were available. Additionally, there were four special giving opportunities to support important campus initiatives.


The Big Event, a Truman tradition since 2001, sends students to serve in the Kirksville community each spring. Through the generosity of Colleen Ritchie (’84) $5,000 in matching funds were available for donations from young alumni. All money raised will fund the purchase of T-shirts and breakfast for the students participating in 2023 and grow the Truman spirit of service.


Bulldog Student Investment Fund (BSIF), founded by generous donors in the fall of 2011, is composed of undergraduate members from a diverse background of majors assembled to conduct equity analysis and make investments for the benefit of the Truman State University Foundation. Through the generosity of Mindy McCubbin (’97) and Tony (’99, ’00) and Julie (’00) Marek matching funds totaling $16,000 were available to benefit the experiential learning of these student analysts.    


Research Experience for Undergraduates in Biochemistry and Genetics, a new initiative made possible through the generosity of Dr. Sharron Quisenberry (’66), provided a $15,000 match to help fund undergraduate science research. Students will explore specific topics in depth and even make original contributions to an area of study – conducting their own research, collaborating with faculty members or working with other undergraduates to seek a better understanding of the world.


The Women’s Basketball Locker Room will be fully renovated thanks to the generosity of donors. With construction happening in Pershing Building since June 2021, the women’s basketball team endured an entire season without their normal space. This fund will replace lockers and couches, provide new graphics and more.

Foundation Celebration

The Annual Truman State University Foundation Celebration took place April 9.

The Foundation Celebration is Truman’s signature Foundation event providing an opportunity for the campus community to express gratitude for the most loyal and generous donors. KPMG was presented the Distinguished Corporation/Foundation Award for their strong partnership with the University and the School of Business. Maj. Gen. John V. Cox (’52) and Mrs. Patricia (McMichael) Cox were presented with the President’s Leadership Award, one of the most prestigious honors bestowed by Truman. The President’s Leadership Award honors select Truman alumni and friends for meritorious service through their gifts of volunteerism, expertise and financial resources. In addition to these distinguished awards, more than 100 benefactors were recognized as new members of the University’s prestigious giving societies.

For a listing of all of Truman’s giving societies, go to truman.edu/giving/societies.

Amazing Impact

Thanks to a gift from Dr. Pete Goldman, professor emeritus of biology, the University Farm has increased its ability to provide fresh produce for students and community members, enhanced sustainability efforts on campus and provided additional educational opportunities for students.

Since 2011, the greenhouse at the University Farm has provided fresh local produce to Sodexo and the Adair County Food Pantry. The new greenhouse space provides nearly four times the capacity for students to grow fresh fruits and vegetables all year long.

Goldman taught biology at Truman for 44 years. In 2008, he established a scholarship through the Truman State University Foundation for students in biology. The Evolution, Ecology and Conservation Scholarship fund, designed to provide scholarships in perpetuity, has provided nearly $18,000 in support to date. His most recent gift to the Foundation has provided for construction of additional greenhouse space. An avid hiker and bird watcher, Goldman is a community leader in the promotion of sustainability and environmental issues.

The current greenhouse is highly successful, having a low loss rate. By reducing the need to transport outside produce in to Kirksville, the greenhouse makes a significant impact on sustainability and provides learning opportunities for students. The main focus of the University greenhouse operation, however, is to make sure the dining halls and food pantry get enough quality produce.

“To me, the new greenhouse space makes the whole University slightly more sustainable,” Goldman said. “The food is produced locally, it’s organic and it goes from farm to table in the blink of an eye.”

To learn more about matching your philanthropic interests with University efforts, contact the Office of Advancement at (660) 785-4133 or truman.edu/giving.