By Jeff Murphy,
April 6, 2020
WARRENSBURG, MO 鈥 While the current pandemic has created tremendous national health
concerns, the financial impact on college and university students is heavy. Expressing
a strong desire to help students through the challenges posed by this health crisis,
the MuleNation network of engaged alumni and friends has reached out to the to partner in raising funds to provide much-needed assistance.
Meeting students鈥 emerging needs is a top priority emphasized through the newly established
The fund provides valuable support to aid students facing job loss, food insecurity
and a variety of other challenges due to COVID-19-related circumstances.
鈥淭he In This Together: Student Hardship Fund was created to help address some of the
financial loss UCM students have incurred as a result of the pandemic. In just a few
days, many in the UCM community have stepped up and generously donated to the fund,鈥
said Courtney Goddard, vice president for university advancement and executive director
of the UCM Alumni Foundation. 鈥淎s always, we are grateful that MuleNation is made
up of individuals who rise to meet challenges with commitment, compassion and care.鈥
The UCM Alumni Foundation is pleased to announce that a number of generous alumni
have offered to match up to $16,000 in gifts to launch the In This Together: Student
Hardship Fund. Among these donors are Mike 鈥72 and Patti 鈥72 Davidson, Frank 鈥73 and
Tamara Deel, Diane 鈥81 and Chuck 鈥80 Dudley, Rand 鈥85 and Kelly 鈥86 Harbert, Shirley
鈥67 and Steve Kleppe, Leslie 鈥77/鈥78 and Robert Krasner, and Scott 鈥89 and Christine
Taylor. Anyone who is able is asked to please consider a donation to this emergency
fund to help students and ensure they can continue to pursue their academic dreams.
鈥淚n moments such as these, it is common for each of us to pause to consider the impact
on those around us,鈥 said UCM President Roger Best. 鈥淥ur students, the majority of
whom work to help pay for their education, have seen dramatic interruptions in their
ability to make ends meet. We are grateful for alumni and friends who are willing
to step forward to assist students hit hardest by the economic reality of the COVID-19
pandemic and thereby keep alive their dreams to complete their degrees.鈥
To learn more about this fundraising opportunity and how to contribute, visit .