Troy D. Paino

Not long after President Troy D. Paino announced he would be stepping down at the end of the school year, alumni, students and friends rallied to establish the Troy and Kelly Paino Emergency Student Relief Fund through the Truman State University Foundation.

Paino kept student learning, achievement and academic quality at the forefront of his six-year presidency. His remarkable personal qualities and extraordinary leadership skills provided a powerful combination as he so capably served all University constituencies.

The fund honors the Painos and will assist current students facing economic hardship and provide resources to help them continue their education at Truman. A $40,000 matching challenge gift was established to encourage all constituencies to support the fund.

Mark Gambaiana

Similarly, when Mark Gambaiana left the University at the end of 2015 after more than 11 years as the vice president of Advancement, alumni and friends established a fund to honor his service and commitment to Truman.

During his tenure, Gambaiana’s leadership resulted in record-setting achievements for the Foundation, as his team raised more than $65 million. He oversaw the University’s first-ever comprehensive campaign, “Bright Minds, Bright Futures,” which exceeded its $30 million goal, and he launched the current “Pursue the Future” campaign with a goal of $40 million.

With the creation of the Mark and Robin Gambaiana Purple Pride Award, the couple chose to structure the fund to honor University secretaries with a monetary gift for an annual recipient.

Both funds have seen overwhelming support from alumni, friends, faculty, staff and students. Donors interested in contributing to either the Troy and Kelly Paino Emergency Student Relief Fund or the Mark and Robin Gambaiana Purple Pride Award can do so by visiting truman.edu/giving or by contacting the Office of Advancement at (800) 452-6678.