As faculty, staff and emeriti, you know the University from a perspective few can challenge. Working here over the years, I've grown to embrace the place and all those who walk its halls. With Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday celebration, I'm reminded that he weathered far tougher times than what now faces far too many. Student leaders have made it abundantly clear to me that there is a severe decline in area part-time jobs, a market that kept many of our students afloat in the past. Increases in scholarships and private support can help offset this reality.
The University's need for the $210,000 goal from the Campus Drive is clear and a student's smile when receiving a scholarship makes this the best of investments. Today, our students are feeling similar financial pressures as you are experiencing. As you consider priorities and choices, please keep in mind that our students need your help – now more than ever. You can make an immediate difference in the world with a gift through the Academic Scholarship Program fund. It’s good to give, and now is the time.
Your participation gift of $26.00 would be $1 per pay period. If each of the approximate 1,500 faculty and staff members on campus committed to that, it would equal over $40,000 for the University! Or, a gift of $18.68, $140.00 or $1,868 represents our 1868 founding year 140 years ago. Please join us and participate in this annual event for faculty, staff and emeriti. Please give today!
The Gift Challenge Circle consists of 7 brave people and we are leveraging and increasing our giving to match your gift of any amount! I hope you jump in and make us match your contribution from $1.00 up to a maximum total of $65,000 by June 30, 2009.
As the chair of the campus drive, it is “payback” time for a place that employed this worker since 1970 despite all the things I never got done. No donor certificate or plaque necessary - I’ll know I gave and that’s okay with me.
The passion and dedication of faculty and staff and the great legacy of emeriti makes a difference for our students every day! We challenge and educate our talented students and support them as they work to achieve their dreams. Please give today!
The Gift Challenge Circle consists of 7 people—an anonymous person, Diane Berge, David Cowan, Mike Hodapp, Paul Hustoles and Stewart and Liz Ross.
To view a list of all past Campus Drive chairs and information on the Campus Drive award, please visit the Employee Recognition website
Kim Rademaker
Gift Receipting Coordinator
126 Alumni Foundation Center
Mankato, MN 56001
Phone: 507-389-6829 or 1-800-662-2705
Fax: 507-389-1567
Email: kim.rademaker@mnsu.edu
If you'd like to submit a testimonial about why YOU choose to support Minnesota State, please contact Marie Worrell by email or phone 507-389-1905.
"Dear Members of the Minnesota State Mankato Family,
Recently a colleague and I had a conversation about our institution, the fact that it is a privilege to be part of our campus family—to teach, to study, to contribute professionally to our shared mission and goals. That conversation about privilege soon transferred in my mind to the next stage, to thinking about the privilege we—the members of the professional community—have to be on the “giving” side of the equation. As Minnesota State Mankato employees we are part of a substantial and very important ecosystem, and all of us are essential to our shared institutional successes. It has been my pleasure and privilege (through special gifts and payroll deductions) to contribute to several vital, yet different kinds of programs-- to scholarships and enrichment offerings. This is the best time and opportunity to support our campus community and to give to the Campus Drive—it’s a privilege to be part of the Minnesota State Mankato Family efforts for fund- and friend-raising!"
“For over 20 years I have had the honor and privilege of working with countless dedicated faculty and staff at Minnesota State Mankato. I am especially proud of those faculty in the College of Business who not only share their time and expertise with students but also give back through their many contributions to the Campus Drive to support scholarships and programs. Teaching and learning is a reciprocal activity, and although we often are told that we positively impact students lives in many ways, your contributions are a way to say "thanks" to our students for inspiring us to make Minnesota State University, Mankato a great place to work and learn ourselves. Thank you for considering a gift.”
“I was asked today why I give each year to the campus drive and the answer is relatively simple. Our students are our future and after 26 years of working here at Minnesota State Mankato I have seen the positive impact we have on the future leaders of higher education.
Over the years I’ve seen students in sports, law enforcement, nursing and dental leave here to become pillars in the community and throughout the country. We see them day to day but forget the faces and or names but later they come back for visits or we see them in their professional environments. The smiles and thank you for the work we put into their educational experience is gratifying knowing that these adults have moved forward beyond the classroom. Some people in the community see only the student who is disorderly or in the paper for one reason or another but we have a chance to see and help prepare them for the future.
Now with a few years left at MSU I can say my monetary donation helped some student to realize their goal and dreams. It doesn’t require a second mortgage but what one may call pocket change. Taken out of your check each pay period, the contribution will not be missed and you will feel good knowing you have helped.”
"My Father served the University as a faculty member for twenty-seven years. My late Mother was an alumna, my Wife is an alumna, I am an alumnus—my son-in-law too. I was lucky enough to attend elementary and high school on campus—literally third grade through graduate school. I’ve had the pleasure of serving the Minnesota State Mankato community for almost twenty years as a staff member. You might say that the institution has supported me most of my life and continues to do so—hopefully for a long time! So you can see that I’ve experienced and enjoyed the many benefits and experiences that this wonderful institution provides through family, as a student, and as a staff member.
I've also had the pleasure of working with and getting to know countless Minnesota State Mankato students, faculty, staff, and administrators during my career. I’ve developed lifelong friendships and professional networks here at this special place—a place integral to my life. The Campus Drive—what an easy way to say “Thank You” Minnesota State Mankato for allowing me to be a part of a proud history and a vibrant future. I urge all of my colleagues to say “Thank You” too by giving to the Campus Drive."
“I contribute to the Study Abroad Scholarship Fund because I’d like every student to have the chance to study in another country. My experience as a student in Germany continues to enrich my life to this day. It taught me self-reliance and helped me to refine my career goals. Study abroad changed me in fundamental ways. The interaction with students from many different countries challenged me to explore my own beliefs about race, politics, morality and religion. The funny thing is, you go abroad to learn about others, but return with a deeper understanding of yourself! Won’t you join me in making this opportunity available to more of our students?”
Michael Meeker is a 2008 graduate with a degree in Elementary Education from Mantorville, Minnesota. As an incoming first-year student, Michael received the prestigious four-year Presidential Scholarship which covers the majority of tuition and fees. Michael has also received two scholarships from the College of Education. His experience at Minnesota State demonstrates how your contributions make a tremendous difference. "The scholarships have given me a chance to fully pursue my dreams which comes at a much greater value than money," Meeker says. "I have the opportunity to focus on my classes, get involved in the community, and take on leadership roles here on campus. I truly feel I am getting the best education possible. Every year I am able to fully engage myself in my classes, leadership experiences, and volunteer work. The scholarships have given me my wings to fly and I am graciously using them to fly far beyond my utmost potential."
“Thinking back over my 20 years on our campus, I remember best those students who impacted me as an instructor. There are those students whose questions in the laboratory have made me say “YES!” they understand the material. There are those students who just by their presence in class make me want to come to work each day. I give to Minnesota State Mankato because I know it will positively impact the lives of our students, but more importantly I give because of the students who have impacted my life.
I admit that during my first few years, I did not give money to the University. There were many reasons for this; I had school debts, I thought it was the responsibility of others and that all the time I spent at the University was a contribution. But slowly over the years those reasons lost their attraction. Yes, I still donate my time but now I also donate money. My contributions are driven primarily because of the positive impact students have had in my life and I feel it is a small gesture of saying thanks to the past, present and future students whose paths cross mine.”
"I arrived at Minnesota State Mankato (then Mankato State University) in March 1977, right out of a Ph.D. program at Northwestern University. I was hired for just 9 weeks to finish out the term of a faculty member who had become ill. Little did I know I would end up getting married here and having two children, now both in their twenties…and celebrating 30 years at the institution last year!
The University is my home. I look forward to coming to work every day. We have wonderful, caring faculty who work hard to be the best teachers they can be. However, there are never enough resources to aid our students and faculty in the pursuit of excellence. Therefore, it is my great pleasure to make annual donations to Minnesota State Mankato. It just makes good sense to give to the place at which I work.
I hope all faculty and staff will think carefully about the importance of making a donation to the University, no matter how small. What a great time to make your first donation or increase your donation made last year. The University continues to be a leader in so many ways. Won’t you please consider that gift this year? Together we can make a difference!"
"I have had the opportunity to offer over 20 years of service to Minnesota State University, Mankato, in areas of transportation, Risk Management, Materials Management and the MnSCU system in which we have been acknowledged for our strength and dedication to Minnesota State Mankato.
Contributions to the Campus Drive allow you to share your University pride with incoming students and families that have chosen Minnesota State Mankato to pursue career courses. I also have had the opportunity to serve as Campus Drive Chairperson in 2006. I was able to see firsthand the numerous hours that students, staff and administration offer to this effort. They compliment all of us on their hard work. We should feel fortunate to have the privilege to offer a contribution small or large back to the University. Your gift will allow scholarships to be offered to your friends and family members. They will be thankful to you!"
"I give to the Campus Drive because it is a really convenient way to do a good thing! My contribution combined with others adds up to some significant money. The way I see it, any way I can support our students and programs will pay off in a better work and learning environment for everyone."
"Giving to the Campus Drive is one small way you can make the world a better place to live in. I challenge you to consider at least investing a dollar a paycheck to an area you’re interested in. I personally know and keep in contact with several scholarship recipients who have great careers and are making this world a better place to live in because of the scholarships they had while attending Minnesota State Mankato. This investment really pays off big and you may actually want to give more and do more! Why not give back to a place that has enriched your life? Thank you for considering this great opportunity which changes lives!"
