MU endowment surpasses $1 billion
University of Missouri officials announced Wednesday that the endowment had crossed the $1 billion mark, a major milestone for the university.
The university’s endowment has grown by more than $400 million in the six years since the launch of the “Mizzou: Our Time to Lead” campaign.
“Generations of donors have graciously invested in our students and faculty, and we cannot thank them enough for their long-term vision and generosity,” Chancellor Alexander Cartwright said. “Our students and faculty achieve great things when we give them the support they need to pursue their passions in education, research and engagement.”
“When I was recruited to become a faculty member at Mizzou, I saw potential for the university’s growth and I see that potential being enacted today,” Susan Empson said. “I’m excited to be a part of a college that is building new things and is engaged in forward-thinking scholarship and research to help teachers, students and schools.”
The university spends 4 percent of each endowed fund’s value annually, based on donor wishes. The strategy will not only preserve the endowment’s principal in perpetuity but enables it to grow through investment returns.
Mizzou is the seventh school in the SEC to achieve a $1 billion endowment. Of the 1,644 public higher education institutions in the nation, MU is the 37th to reach the billion-dollar mark.
