Giving Week was April 22-26 in honor of National Bulldogs are Beautiful Day. As part of this exciting initiative, the University highlighted six special campaign areas and one Foundation Board Challenge.
Bertha Thomas Legacy Scholarship – This scholarship was established in 2023 to honor Thomas, former assistant dean of Multicultural Affairs, for her substantial contributions to students, campus and the Kirksville community. Floyd Simpson (’02) provided $3,000 for a 1:1 giving match.
Embedded Tutoring – This program, sponsored by the Center for Academic Excellence, places a tutor in select classrooms to assist student learning. Classes with embedded tutors have an increased overall GPA, and students self-report higher grades. An anonymous donor provided $3,000 for a 1:1 match.
Farm-to-Table Initiative – Cindy Spiker (’93) and Michele Hoyne (’90) gave $4,300 for a 1:1 match for this new collaboration with the University Farm to bring healthy, fresh, organic produce and goods to the dining halls.
Forensics – A 1:1 match up to $5,000 was available through the generosity of Nishant Bhajaria (’03) to support the Truman Forensics Union in their travel and expenses for competitions. An additional $5,000 donation from an anonymous alumni couple was made for reaching the challenge goal of
50 donors to the effort.
Gregg Nesbitt Football Scholarship – Gifts honoring retired head coach Gregg Nesbitt (’80) were matched up to $10,000 through the generosity of McLeod Express, LLC owned by Mark “Mac” McLeod (’85).
Health and Exercise Sciences Experiential Fund – Calaneet Balas (’97) provided $12,500 through a 1:1 match for a fund that will allow health and exercise science students to participate in high-impact experiences in a wide variety of
off-campus settings.
Better – Because of You (Foundation Board Challenge) – To honor the way each donor makes Truman a better place, members of the Foundation Board
of Directors gave $15,000 for a 2:1 match to any Foundation fund.
BY THE NUMBERS:
Total raised – $133,329
299 donors
Average gift – $268.88
365 gifts
81 different funds supported
