Donor Recognition Levels
Donor recognition programs exist at a variety of levels to acknowledge gifts to Mississippi State University. Donors who are recognized within these levels have made significant contributions that will leave a lasting impact on students, faculty, and programs of the land-grant institution.
It is important to understand the impact of giving to MSU because every contribution during a donor's lifetime is significant. And, giving to our institution becomes their legacy as they help MSU educate each rising generation of students and provide immeasurable research and influential service that impacts people across the world.
Our university is truly grateful to those who generously support the mission of providing the highest level of excellence in academic, research, and service endeavors. At MSU, we honor donors for their impact by placing them within special recognition levels that correspond directly with their giving.
LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP
Legacy of Leadership membership is based on the donor's cumulative lifetime giving (pledge and outright gifts) to Mississippi State University. The Legacy of Leadership consists of eight levels from $50,000 to over $25 million. These levels are as follows:
DONALD W. ZACHARIAS ROUNDTABLE
The Donald W. Zacharias Roundtable was established in 2000 and honors Mississippi State University's 15th president, Donald W. Zacharias, who served from 1985-1997. The Zacharias Roundtable recognizes lifetime gift support of $25 million and above.
JAMES D. MCCOMAS BENEFACTORS
The James D. McComas Benefactors was established in 2000 and honors Mississippi State University's 14th president, James D. McComas, who served from 1976-1985. The McComas Benefactors recognizes lifetime giving support from $10,000,000 to $24,999,999.
WILLIAM L. GILES PARTNERS
The William L. Giles Partners was established in 2000 and honors Mississippi State University's 13th president, William L. Giles, who served from 1966-1976. The Giles Partners recognizes lifetime gift support from $5,000,000 to $9,999,999.
DEAN W. COLVARD FOUNDERS
The Dean W. Colvard Founders was established in 2000 and honors Mississippi State University's 12th president, Dean W. Colvard, who served from 1960-1966. The Colvard Founders recognizes lifetime gift support from $1,000,000 to $4,999,999.
STEPHEN D. LEE SOCIETY
The Stephen D. Lee Society originally was established as Mississippi State University's highest-level donor club in 1990. Stephen D. Lee was the first president of Mississippi State University. The Stephen D. Lee Society recognizes lifetime gift support of $500,000 to $999,000.
J. CHARLES LEE ASSOCIATES
The J. Charles Lee Associates was established in 2008 and honors Mississippi State University's 17th president, J. Charles Lee, who served from 2002-2006. The J. Charles Lee Associates recognizes lifetime gift support from $250,000 to $499,999.
EUGENE BUTLER FELLOWS
The Eugene Butler Fellows was created in honor of Eugene Butler, a 1913 graduate of Mississippi State University. Mr. Butler demonstrated his love and support to Mississippi State by contributing generously to various programs and projects. The Eugene Butler Fellows recognizes lifetime gift support from $100,000 to $249,999.
BEN F. HILBUN TORCHBEARERS
The Ben F. Hilbun Torchbearers is named in honor of Mississippi State University's 11th president, Ben F. Hilbun, who served from 1953-1960. The Ben F. Hilbun Torchbearers recognizes lifetime gift support from $50,000 to $99,999.
PRESIDENT'S CLUB
The President's Club recognizes donors' cumulative lifetime giving (pledge or outright gifts) to Mississippi State University. The President's Club consist of two levels from $10,000 to $49,999. The levels are as follows:
PRESIDENT'S PARTNER
$25,000 to $49,999
PRESIDENT'S ASSOCIATE
$10,000 to $24,999
OLD MAIN SOCIETY
The Old Main Society honors those generous donors who have included Mississippi State as a beneficiary in their wills or have made other planned gifts such as charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, life insurance policies, and qualified IRAs/retirement plans.
The Old Main Society recognition levels correlate with the Legacy of Leadership. Planned gifts of less than $10,000 or those of an undisclosed amount are recognized at the Old Main Society Member level.
DONALD W. ZACHARIAS ROUNDTABLE
Cumulative gift support of $25 million and above
JAMES D. MCCOMAS BENEFACTORS
Cumulative gift support from $10,000,000 to $24,999,999
WILLIAM L. GILES PARTNERS
Cumulative gift support from $5,000,000 to $9,999,999
DEAN W. COLVARD FOUNDERS
Cumulative gift support from $1,000,000 to $4,999,999
STEPHEN D. LEE SOCIETY
Cumulative gift support of $500,000 to $999,000
J. CHARLES LEE ASSOCIATES
Cumulative gift support from $250,000 to $499,999
EUGENE BUTLER FELLOWS
Cumulative gift support from $100,000 to $249,999
BEN F. HILBUN TORCHBEARERS
Cumulative gift support from $50,000 to $99,999
PRESIDENT'S PARTNER
Cumulative gift support of $25,000 to $49,999
PRESIDENT'S ASSOCIATE
Cumulative gift support of $10,000 to $24,999
OLD MAIN MEMBER
Planned gifts of less than $10,000 or those of an undisclosed amount.
RECOGNITION IN DONOR ROLLS:
Each year, the names of all club members are published in the MSU Foundation's annual report publication. All members are recognized at their highest level. If donors are part of both the Legacy of Leadership and the Old Main Society, they are recognized once in the annual report at their highest level.