Presidential Endowed Scholarship Seeks Funds to Support Incoming Freshmen

By Jeff Murphy, July 15, 2019

WARRENSBURG, MO — To celebrate the inauguration of President Roger Best and support his focus on impacting students’ lives, the UCM Alumni Foundation has established the University of Central Missouri’s first-ever Presidential Endowed Scholarship.

This scholarship will be awarded annually to an incoming freshman who demonstrates high academic performance — a high school GPA of 3.7 or higher — with preference to first-generation students or those who  demonstrate financial need. So far, the UCM Alumni Foundation has raised $44,800 in commitments and gifts, with strong support from the Alumni Foundation Board of Directors. The university seeks additional contributions from alumni and friends to reach its goal of securing $125,000 to support an incoming freshman in fall 2019. Donors can choose to make a one-time gift or establish a monthly donation.

The Presidential Endowed Scholarship is a permanent fund invested with the UCM Alumni Foundation Endowment that preserves donors’ investment by generating scholarship awards each year only from the interest the fund accrues.

“My vision for the future of UCM as a higher education leader in our state and nation depends on the collaboration of everyone who cares about our university,” said Best, the university’s 16th president since 1871. “We know that tomorrow’s successes will only be realized if we strategically plan for them. The UCM Alumni Foundation wishes to partner with you to grow investments to continue providing a quality, yet affordable, college experience to future generations.”

Donations can be made to UCM’s Presidential Endowed Scholarship online at www.ucmfoundation.org/president, in-person at the Smiser Alumni Center or by mail to P.O. Box 800, Smiser Alumni Center, Warrensburg, MO, 64093. For additional information, contact Jackie Jackson, director of Annual Giving, at 660-543-4579 or email jjackson@ucmo.edu.