The University Advancement team at Metropolitan State University of Denver is thrilled to announce that it exceeded its 2021-22 fiscal-year fundraising goal of $7 million, raising a record $10.5 million to support students and University programs. The gifts will allow students greater access to the resources they need to succeed by expanding programs, increasing scholarship funds and developing beneficial wraparound services.
Last year’s success can be attributed to the generosity of over 4,500 donors, including alumni, faculty members, staff members, individuals, foundations and corporations.
MSU Denver faculty and staff members, who give of themselves so generously, contributed over $340,000 to the fundraising total, making a direct impact on our students’ well-being and ensuring that we can serve Roadrunners for generations.
Other highlights include an unprecedented MSU Denver Day of Giving and transformational gifts from MSU Denver Trustee Barb Grogan (student-support services); Board of Trustees Chair and alumnus Russell Noles (inclusive excellence); Mariner and Megan Kemper (Health Institute and Classroom-to-Career Hub); Foundation Board member and former Trustee Dawn Bookhardt, J.D. (Health Institute); Ron and Susie Tilton (Office of Education Solutions); a multiyear grant from Bank of America that will support Latinx students pursuing careers in health care; and other pledged gifts.
Christine Márquez-Hudson, vice president of University Advancement, said $2.6 million was added to the Foundation endowment. Additionally, $4.3 million went to the University for immediate use, with funds being distributed to scholarships, such as the Reisher Scholars Program and the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative, and programs such as the UndocuHub Community Services Program, the Covid-related Service Response Stipend, the Department of Nursing and more.
“We are inspired by the vision of President Janine Davidson and all our leaders across campus — and so are our donors,” said Márquez-Hudson. “People want to help MSU Denver achieve its mission — our job in Advancement is facilitating those connections.”
In the current and upcoming fiscal years, Advancement will remain aligned with the University’s five-year strategic plan and continue to partner with current and new donors to invest in four priority pillars: facilitating student success, cultivating inclusive excellence, creating classroom-to-career pathways and addressing Colorado’s talent pipeline.
“MSU Denver is poised to launch into a whole new era of excellence, relevance and service to our community — in fact, we’re already launching,” said Márquez-Hudson. “We will fuel investments in the University’s highest priorities, helping us serve students both now and into the future.”
With the success of the previous year, MSU Denver is well on its way to providing current and future Roadrunners with the support they need to rise and reimagine a future where anything is possible.
Learn more about how the generosity of MSU Denver donors impacts the University community.