Michigan State University President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D., unveiled the university’s largest, most ambitious $4 billion multiyear comprehensive fundraising campaign to accelerate discoveries that address society’s greatest challenges and prepare Spartans to advance impact for the common good using their uncommon will. The details were shared at a kick-off event on campus Sunday, March 9.
The campaign “Uncommon Will, Far Better World” will equip Spartans with the resources, experiences and knowledge to address the world’s greatest challenges, solidify MSU as a talent activator for the state of Michigan and beyond and create a thriving society. It’s the university’s fourth campaign.
“In a rapidly shifting global landscape, higher education must adapt to meet society’s growing challenges,” said Guskiewicz. “This campaign is a consequential opportunity to ensure we equip every person to learn, grow and thrive while solidifying MSU as a global beacon of collaboration, partnership and opportunity that accelerates positive change boundlessly throughout the world.”
The theme of the campaign — “Uncommon Will, Far Better World” — is particularly fitting as society continues to look for a relentless commitment to making a difference in people’s lives. Spartans are passionate and create impacts far greater and more meaningful than if they’d been attempted by anyone else, said Vice President for University Advancement Kim Tobin.
“This campaign will propel Michigan State University to greater heights,” Tobin said. “More, it will enable Spartans to do what they do best: leveraging their uncommon will to achieve impact for the common good — ultimately creating a far better world for us all.”
To date, more than 120,000 generous Spartans and friends have contributed more than $1 billion to the campaign’s $4 billion goal during the planning phase. The campaign kicked off in 2022, propelling student achievement, cross-disciplinary research and discoveries, and supporting the future of MSU. The campaign is expected to conclude in 2032.
This includes generous giving from leaders like Dawn and Greg Williams and Barb and Ben Maibach. The couples were named the inaugural co-chairs of the campaign, a recognition of their commitment to Michigan State and generosity, which has advanced impact and strengthened the uncommon will of Spartans.
“We’re excited and energized by the momentum that is growing at Michigan State University,” the Williamses said. “President Guskiewicz’s visionary leadership combined with the uncommon will of Spartans provides a great foundation for the far better world we will achieve together through this campaign.”
“From the very beginning when we arrived on campus as freshmen, MSU has continued to be an integral part of our lives and our Spartan Story,” the Maibachs added. “The experiences and education we received here were transformative, and it’s our mission to ensure that legacy of impact continues well beyond this campaign. We invite every Spartan and friend of the university to join us as we build a bold new future for this great university.”
The campaign elevates three key ambitions to foster a lasting impact on society and cultivate a far better world.
Talent Activated
Core to the campaign — exactly half of the campaign’s goal — is a commitment to revolutionize the student experience to ensure students can learn, grow and thrive. Through its ambition Talent Activated, the university is seeking private support for scholarships and programs to transform the student experience and solidify MSU as the premier talent activator for Michigan and beyond.
“At a time when talent is the most critical resource for solving the grand challenges of our world, MSU is investing in people — opening doors, breaking down barriers and empowering every learner to thrive,” said MSU Interim Provost Thomas Jeitschko. “Our commitment is more than words; it is action. MSU is one of only four public research universities in the nation with both a higher than 60% admittance rate and an over 80% graduation rate — proof that access and excellence can and must go hand in hand.”
Underpinning this priority is the university’s newly established and premier Joseph and Sarah Williams Scholarship, which awards 30 qualifying undergraduate students with merit-based scholarships to fully fund tuition, food and housing, and an education abroad or other experiential opportunity for up to eight semesters.
Synergies Imagined
Additionally, the campaign will advance critical discoveries, leveraging the university’s vast partnerships and unique interdisciplinary collaboration through the ambition Synergies Imagined. An essential component of the campaign is leveraging the institution’s existing synergies through endowed faculty funding and private support for key research initiatives.
“The world’s most pressing challenges will not be solved in silos,” Guskiewicz added. “They demand bold ideas, boundary-breaking collaboration and the kind of visionary problem-solving that defines Michigan State University.”
Futures Built
Rounding out the multibillion-dollar campaign is a focus on creating places and spaces that address the needs of students today while preparing them for the opportunities not yet imagined. The ambition Futures Built will catalyze this effort through strategic support for capital projects and new programs.
“MSU is an institution rooted in discovery, innovation and impact,” said MSU Board of Trustees Chair Kelly Tebay. “We must ensure that MSU remains at the forefront of education and research, preparing Spartans to seize the opportunities of tomorrow — whatever they may be. Building futures doesn’t just take vision; it takes all of us working together.”