By Jeff Murphy,
April 6, 2020
WARRENSBURG, MO – 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’ 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.
“The 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,”
said Courtney Goddard, vice president for university advancement and executive director
of the UCM Alumni Foundation. “As always, we are grateful that MuleNation is made
up of individuals who rise to meet challenges with commitment, compassion and care.”
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 ’72 and Patti ’72 Davidson, Frank ’73 and
Tamara Deel, Diane ’81 and Chuck ’80 Dudley, Rand ’85 and Kelly ’86 Harbert, Shirley
’67 and Steve Kleppe, Leslie ’77/’78 and Robert Krasner, and Scott ’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.
“In moments such as these, it is common for each of us to pause to consider the impact
on those around us,” said UCM President Roger Best. “Our 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.”
To learn more about this fundraising opportunity and how to contribute, visit .