Impact Stories

Frank Shelden and Val Lawlor, center, with Matthew Martens, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs; University of Missouri President Mun Choi; Chris Smith, vice chancellor for advancement; Dena Higbee, senior director of simulation and educational technology innovation; Angela King Taylor, vice chancellor for student affairs; and Christopher Jefferson, director of fraternity and sorority life.

Decades of dedication: Mizzou supporters commit $5 million to future Tigers

Frank Shelden and Val Lawlor are building on their longtime commitment to Mizzou with a planned gift supporting medical education, Mizzou Athletics, and fraternity and sorority life.

November 6, 2026

Pictured are Rich and Nancy Kinder, center, with their granddaughter, Kendall Howes; Jay Sexton, director of the Kinder Institute, left; University of Missouri System President Mun Choi; and Ama Bennet, a graduate student at Mizzou.

Kinder Foundation® pledges $25 million to expand Mizzou’s global reach

The latest grant will strengthen the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy, expand its partnership with the University of Oxford and create new opportunities for students and faculty.

November 3, 2026

Pictured, from left, are Sam Jackson, graduate student at the Missouri School of Journalism; Liz Lucas, Houston Harte Chair in Journalism at the Missouri School of Journalism; Matthew Martens, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Missouri; Karen Burns; Rick Gevers; and David Kurpius, dean of the Missouri School of Journalism.

Mizzou receives significant estate gift to advance journalism education

Alumnus Rick Gevers and his wife, Karen Burns, are investing in the Missouri School of Journalism's tradition of hands-on learning and innovation.

October 29, 2026

Sara Sternberger and Howard Epstein

$2 million planned gift will strengthen Mizzou’s MHA program

A $2 million estate gift from Sara Sternberger and Howard Epstein includes support for three endowments that will advance the MHA program in the College of Health Sciences.

October 21, 2026

Chuck Beitel and Kara Chmielewski pose with Truman the Tiger

Mizzou Engineering alumni invest in the next generation

Chuck Beitel and Kara Chmielewski’s generous gift will support the Shared Instrumentation Suite and hands-on learning in the Energy Innovation Center

October 19, 2026

Groundbreaking ceremony

Historic $50 million gift powers Payne Energy Innovation Center at Mizzou

David Payne’s support will also transform electrical engineering and computer science while accelerating Mizzou’s leadership in energy innovation.

September 4, 2026

Fireworks in front of Jesse Hall

A day to remember: Scenes from Mizzou’s historic celebration

University marks a $50 million gift; Energy Innovation Center groundbreaking; stadium renovations; and $1.1 billion raised.

September 3, 2026

FLowers in front of the Columns and Jesse Hall

$1.1 billion and roaring: Mizzou powers toward record $2 billion goal

Power the Roar surpasses the halfway mark in the most ambitious fundraising campaign in Mizzou history.

August 28, 2026

Theresa Pitts interacting with a large screen

Teresa Pitts named inaugural Davisson Faculty Scholar

When Bea Davisson set out to honor her parents’ legacy, she created an opportunity that will advance research and training in the Mizzou College of Health Sciences.

July 29, 2026

The Jesse Hall Dome and the top of the Columns

The Big Idea: How a bold campaign can make history

University of Missouri Advancement Vice Chancellor Chris Smith emphasizes the power of participation in reaching fundraising goals in US News and World Report.

June 18, 2026