Michigan State University dairy science alumnus, William (Bill) Oswalt, of Vicksburg, Michigan, has established a new endowment to provide discretionary support for the MSU Department of Animal Science within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The William Oswalt Discretionary Endowment in Animal Science will be used to support the department at the discretion of the chair.

“We are so grateful for Mr. Oswalt’s generosity and thoughtfulness to provide such flexibility for the future,” said Catherine Ernst, chairperson for the Department of Animal Science. “This gift is powerful because of its discretionary nature. Future department chairs will be able to respond to changing programmatic needs by directing expenditures toward the most pressing needs at the time. Mr. Oswalt’s generosity will have a tremendous and long-lasting impact on our students and faculty and will provide vital support for enhancing our animal science teaching, research and outreach missions.”

Agriculture runs generations deep in the Oswalt family history. Bill’s desire to maintain a thriving agriculture industry in Michigan has led him to this gift to MSU. He is establishing this endowment to give back to the institution that provided him with a life-changing experience through the Animal Science Department and to provide a similar experience to others from his alma mater.

“MSU was established as and continues to be recognized as one of the premier land-grant universities,” Oswalt said. “Life on this planet will continue to evolve and the validation of animal science must meet the challenges encountered along the path of inevitable change. It is, and always will be, a piece of the architectural challenge of survival and help keep the focus where it belongs.”

For the full story, visit canr.msu.edu