Midwestern State University has earned a national Circle of Excellence Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) for its work performed on the MSU Texas: Boundless Opportunities fundraising campaign.

Each year through its Circle of Excellence program, CASE recognizes institutions whose staff members advance their institutions through innovative, inspiring and creative ideas. The awards acknowledge superior accomplishments that make a lasting impact, demonstrate the highest level of professionalism, and deliver exceptional results. This year, CASE received 2,856 entries from members from 20 countries.

The MSU Texas Boundless Opportunity fundraising campaign earned silver level recognition in the Emerging Programs category. Silver level recognizes entries that meet or exceed most of the judging criteria and are superior or outstanding in nature.

"This award is a testament to the dedication and work of our advancement staff and consulting partners," said President Suzanne Shipley. "With the launch of our comprehensive campaign, we have made great strides in reconfiguring our fundraising programs. I am extremely proud of all who have made this accomplishment possible."

The comprehensive campaign is a $50 million, seven-year effort that reflects an increase in dollars raised and the broadening of the donor base. The momentum and planning of the comprehensive campaign has yielded significant results from a small staff that leverages new and existing opportunities to engage with alumni, donors, students, regents, faculty, staff, community supporters, foundations and corporations.

Led by President Shipley, the team's unparalleled work ethic and unity brought unprecedented success. The $50 million goal was met in the first 29 months of the campaign. In 2017-18 fiscal year, the university broke the record for total gifts and pledges with $32.8 million. CASE judges said of MSU's entry that "we are very proud of the numbers MSU has shown with a very modest budget."

The campaign has reinvigorated the well-established culture of philanthropy at MSU Texas, strengthening it with additional infrastructure and programming. At the time of the entry, 5,123 donors had made 8,667 gifts to the campaign.

In 2018, MSU Texas received a CASE IV district accolade in bronze for Social Media-Creative Use and received a silver in 2015 for Institution-Wide Branding Program. MSU had previously been recognized by CASE in 2014.

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