MISSISSIPPI STATE marks 140th YEAR as Infinite Impact continues 2 An Infinite Impact continues 6 Paw power 8 Leading the way Features 10 Inspiring success CONTENTS 13 Morris creates fellowships for MSU Adkerson School 14 Hail State Giving tops expectations 15 Rankin forestry association grows student scholarship 16 Exclusive mobile app ready for all Bulldogs 18 Foundation fills three key fundraising posts News 19 Parker memorialized with MSU agronomy scholarship 1 NOTES: Vice President for Development and Alumni 17 NOTES: Executive Director of Development 20 PROFILE: Mary Jo and Paul Karre Sections 21 BOARD: 2018 Officers and Members EDITOR Amy Cagle DESIGNER MISSISSIPPI STATE marks 140th YEAR Erin Norwood as Infinite Impact continues WRITERS Amy Cagle, Keri Collins Lewis, Addie Mayfield, Jack McCarty, Abby Ready and John P. Rush PHOTOGRAPHERS Megan Bean, Russ Houston, Tom Thompson and Beth Newman Wynn EDITORIAL BOARD Cathy Lammons and John P. Rush ON THE COVER Foundations is published two times per year by the Mississippi State MSU marks 140 years of University Foundation. Please send comments and questions to P.O. Box 6149, Bulldog pride and progress as Mississippi State, MS 39762-6149 or phone 662.325.1006. it celebrates the anniversary of The Mississippi State University Foundation Inc. is a nonprofit organization its Feb. 28, 1878, founding as that assists the university in accomplishing its goals and mission by cultivating and soliciting private support and ensuring stewardship for all contributions benefitting a land-grant institution. Mississippi State University. Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination Cover photo in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, by Megan Bean sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status protected by applicable law is prohibited. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Compliance and Integrity, 56 Morgan Avenue, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, 662.325.5839. NOTES Keep MSU at the forefront of giving The tax reform of 2017 has had many in the nonprofit world spinning the last few months. While we are fully supportive of any effort to allow Americans to keep more of their hard-earned wages, we remain watchful on what intended and unintended consequences of the new legislation may be for charities across the United States—and certainly here at MSU. Nationally, experts have predicted significant declines in charitable giving. Locally, we have been focusing on a few key components of the legislation: doubling of the standard deduction, new excise tax on endowments, and repeal of the 80/20 rule for athletics. Previously, over 30 percent of American households filed itemized deductions on their tax JOHN P. RUSH returns. With the doubling of the standard deduction, early predictions state Vice President for that as few as 5 to 10 percent of households may itemize going forward. At Development and Alumni MSU, over 16,500 donors made gifts in fiscal year 2017 of $10,000 or less. It is believed that many of these donors may have itemized in the past and may no longer have a need to do so. While these donors could be of any age, it is likely that most are younger alumni who are just now exploring their own charitable interests. Ideally, we would like to have a long relationship with these alumni, whereby they are providing support on an annual basis. The athletic changes have drawn the greatest debate. Previously, donors to athletics received an 80 percent deduction for gifts if, as a part of the gift, the donor received a right to purchase tickets for seating at an athletic event. The remaining 20 percent was treated as the value of the right and no deduction was allowed. Under current law, no deduction is given for the right to purchase tickets for seating. However, any gift that is truly philanthropic in nature, such as capital gifts to stadium renovations that do not provide this benefit, is now 100 percent deductible. What is not clear is how gifts that have traditionally received “points” and are above the seating minimum will be treated. The IRS may issue some guidance to clarify this issue. However, we are working with our colleagues across the SEC as well as the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education and other national groups to create a more concise guiding document for how these gifts can and should be handled moving forward. In the near term, we appreciate your patience. While these are interesting times for nonprofits and higher education, certain issues remain clear and vital to our core efforts. Mississippi lags behind nationally in the percentage of college graduates. And, Mississippi State University continues to be the choice institution in our state for enrolling Mississippians. Additionally, we have a higher enrollment of Pell-grant students than our SEC peers. As a result, we are providing opportunities for more native sons and daughters of the Magnolia State to reach their goals of a better life and future. Thank you for your continued support in helping us enable those students to reach their dreams! 1 1 SPRING 2018 FOUNDATIONS Bagley College engineers for the future As one of only some 40 named engineering colleges in the nation, Mississippi State University’s James Worth Bagley College of Engineering is forging its path through innovation, creativity and discovery. The college is home to eight high-performing academic departments, 10 well-respected certificate programs, and is ranked among the best engineering colleges in the nation. As the demand for highly-prepared scientific studies, as well as serve the state’s engineers grows, the need to offer greater population by providing greater educational educational opportunities to compete in a global opportunities for citizens. The results of these marketplace brings attention to the Bagley programs will not only be measured by a College. At Mississippi State, the college’s goal stronger educational foundation for engineering is to provide the highest quality educational and students, but will also be seen in school districts research environment that supports, cultivates throughout the state. and fosters talented students and faculty to Beyond the state, region and nation, Infinite discover new knowledge and technology for the Impact is positioning the Bagley College and benefit of our society. Mississippi State to compete on an international Bright students and top-notch faculty stage and provide critical resources for its ascent are paving the way to the future by creating to the next level of success. new products and procedures to solve the For MSU graduates to compete and challenges of the 21st century. With cutting- perform in diverse cultures and environments, edge research and creativity, the Bagley College they must be equipped with the skills and will not only imagine what is to come, but knowledge needed for the global economy. provide the knowledge and technology to Infinite Impact will provide the energy and transform concepts into reality, ideas into momentum to propel the Bagley College’s efficiency, and inspiration into application, while students and faculty to the forefront of enhancing human health, energy production, international excellence and recognition and transportation systems, environmental issues and provide long-term benefits to the university’s more along the way. educational and research efforts. Infinite Impact: The Mississippi State Alumni and friends can support the Bagley University Campaign is transforming education College with gifts through Infinite Impact. Select for a new generation of engineers. By providing giving opportunities include the following areas. more scholarships and faculty support, academic and program enhancements, and better facilities Endowed Academic Units for research and creativity, Infinite Impact will A chief ambition of Infinite Impact is to allow the Bagley College to push toward the attract donors who are eager to follow the lead upper echelon of engineering education. of engineering alumnus James W. Bagley and Every day, the Bagley College also positively his wife, Jean, of Trophy Club, Texas. Their impacts lives with outreach and economic generous $25 million perpetual endowment development. The college works with many helped the college forge a pioneering path for industries to solve problems in our state, the future. region and nation. Its current research efforts Another engineering alumnus, the late include engineering for energy, human health Dave Swalm, endowed an academic unit within enhancement, information and decision systems, the college. The Dave C. Swalm School of material science and engineering, transportation Chemical Engineering has gained a tremendous and vehicular systems, and water and the reputation for excellence. Additional named environment. schools and departments with endowment-level By supporting outreach programs, alumni gifts will bring an incomparable level of prestige and friends will help the university engage and differentiate the Bagley College among teachers and students in engineering and those at peer institutions. 3 SPRING 2018 FOUNDATIONS Minimum endowment levels exist for and international leadership and distinction in schools, departments, centers and institutes. A their fields, and whose current efforts are focused gift of at least $5 million will endow a school on honing teaching skills and establishing a or department, while $2.5 million will endow a superior record of research or other scholarly university-wide center or institute. Additionally, activity. a college-based or unit-based center or institute Minimum levels for endowed faculty can be endowed with a $1 million gift. positions are $1.5 million for an endowed chair, $500,000 for a professorship, and $100,000 for Endowed Chairs and Professorships an endowed faculty fellowship. All of these carry Faculty members who engage in applied opportunities to link the names of contributors research and create activities that complement with these prime faculty positions.