WHAT’S INSIDE WHO WE ARE / WHAT WE DO
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Put simply, the UCM Alumni Foundation is here to serve UCM students.
WHAT IS MULENATION
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With chapters across the country, MuleNation brings UCM alumni together.
ALUMNI BENEFITS
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UCM alumni enjoy access to university facilities, online resources and more.
ALUMNI EVENTS
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Alumni are invited to attend and help plan campus events and regional gatherings.
CAMPUS COMMUNITY
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Tradition is an important part of the university and alumni communities.
ALUMNI AWARDS
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It is our privilege to continually honor outstanding alumni who make a difference.
MAKE AN IMPACT BY VOLUNTEERING
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We’re always looking for alumni who are willing to share their time and talents.
HOW YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE Alumni generosity is crucial to keeping the university innovative and affordable.
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WHO WE ARE In 1871, the University of Central Missouri opened its doors as State Normal School No. 2 with 30 students in a rented building. The campus would be built on 20 acres of land generously donated by local resident Melville U. Foster, establishing a foundation of philanthropy that continues to this day.
In 1872, the first graduating class founded an alumni association, which became an official organization six years later. One hundred years later, in 1979, the Central Missouri State University Foundation was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to cultivate, manage
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WHAT WE DO Today the UCM Alumni Foundation Board and staff members remain dedicated to serving the university’s approximately 10,500 students, who represent more than 40 states and more than 30 countries.
We accomplish our mission and realize our vision by adhering to these core values:
Our mission is to cultivate, manage and distribute resources in support of the University of Central Missouri.
Innovation
Our vision is to transform the lives of UCM students and to create opportunities for them beyond what they imagined possible.
Transparency
Accountability Authenticity
Integrity
Transformation
and distribute resources in support of the university. In 2016, a decade after the institution changed its name to the University of Central Missouri, the “Alumni Board” and the “Foundation Board” became one consolidated “Alumni Foundation Board of Directors.”
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WHAT IS MULENATION MuleNation is what we call the network of more than 100,000 UCM alumni around the globe. Regional alumni chapters are active across the country and internationally, promoting connection and collaboration among proud graduates of our university. WHAT MULENATION CHAPTERS DO A successful MuleNation chapter brings together alumni who are living in the same region, engaging the group with events and networking opportunities. The chapter provides meaningful ways for members to stay involved with the university and models UCM’s core values.
Chapter members and leaders also support current students and recruit prospective students by upholding and amplifying the reputation of the university. MULENATION NEEDS LEADERS LIKE YOU MuleNation chapters require bold leaders with personal humility, integrity and a strong work ethic. Leadership candidates must have a genuine eagerness to engage with their alumni community and promote a sense of fellowship. They must also be willing and able to establish an effective relationship with university leadership and be an
articulate advocate for the UCM Alumni Foundation. Strong communication skills and the ability to listen, think strategically and make transparent, datadriven decisions are key. Preferred experiences include working as part of a volunteer board and a demonstrated record of successful executive or senior-level leadership. Preference will be given to UCM alumni, but loyal friends and supporters of the university are also encouraged to volunteer. Visit ucmfoundation.org/ mulenation-leadership.
ALUMNI BENEFITS Membership in the UCM Alumni Foundation is complimentary and happens automatically. All UCM graduates, former students, College High and University High School graduates are considered alumni. By staying in contact with the UCM Alumni Foundation, alumni make lifetime connections with people who share common values and experiences. Members of the alumni community also enjoy access to personal and professional development resources. HEALTH & WELLNESS Alumni are welcome to utilize the state-of-the-art exercise and weighttraining equipment, ball courts, climbing wall, track and other facilities at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center at a discounted rate.
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UCM PUBLICATIONS Get the inside scoop on what’s happening in the ’Burg and what alumni across the country are doing. Our print and digital UCM Magazine and the MuleNation Monthly e-newsletter keep alumni and friends up to date. LOCATE A CLASSMATE Remember “Old So and So” who helped you finish a big project or celebrated with you on Pine Street? Look them up in our alumni directory under the “Find Alumni” tab after creating a login at ucmfoundation.org. LIBRARY & ALUMNI ID CARDS Alumni have access to all in-person and online services and resources at the James C. Kirkpatrick Library. You can also request an alumni ID card by emailing alumni@ucmo.edu.
STAY IN CONTACT Alumni who keep their contact information up to date in our online community will receive relevant university news and invitations to MuleNation events. Members are encouraged to share life events, such as getting married, starting a family, relocating or celebrating a new job, achievement or promotion. BE A VOICE Most colleges and departments have advisory boards composed of alumni and professionals in related industries who provide valuable perspectives on curriculum, educational technology and employment opportunities. Volunteer or nominate someone to serve on any of these advisory boards or the UCM Alumni Foundation Board of Directors.
ALUMNI EVENTS FAMILY WEEKEND Alumni with a family member currently attending UCM are invited to Family Weekend at the start of each academic year. Spend time with future alumni while seeing what’s new at your old stomping ground.
REGIONAL GATHERINGS MuleNation chapters across the country host events for alumni living in or visiting their region. These include networking and social gatherings as well as tailgating at games and attending performances.
HOMECOMING Homecoming is the largest alumni tradition of the year! Whether you know it as Central Missouri State College, Central Missouri State University or the University of Central Missouri, the Warrensburg campus is a place you can always call home.
REUNIONS Reunions are a great way to reconnect with the university community. Whether reuniting a graduating class, Greek or student organization, athletic team or program of study, the UCM Alumni Foundation is here to bring alumni together again. If you are interested in planning a reunion at UCM or have questions, please contact our Events Team at 660-543-8000 or events@ucmo.edu.
The Homecoming parade is a colorful feast for the eyes, bringing the campus and local communities together to enjoy the Marching Mules, floats, equestrian units, dignitaries, area organizations, businesses, regional high school bands and UCM’s very own mule mascot.
FOUNDERS WEEKEND UCM’s 150th anniversary in 2021 launched a new tradition that
happens every year around April 27, the day the documents were signed officially awarding the location of Missouri’s State Normal School No. 2 to the town of Warrensburg. PLAN AN EVENT Are there numerous Mules and Jennies in your area? Need some help getting everyone together? We assist with planning and hosting alumni socials across the country year-round. Contact our Events Team at 660-543-8000 or events@ucmo.edu. PARTY IN A BOX Enjoy watch parties, virtual events and even the Homecoming game from the comfort of your home with Party in a Box. Everything you need to celebrate, including UCM memorabilia, treats and event access, is delivered to your door.
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CAMPUS COMMUNITY
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI®
Because students become alumni, the UCM Alumni Foundation provides programming to connect current students with our network of more than 100,000 graduates across MuleNation. We also aim to cultivate a culture of service and philanthropy in our future alumni.
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LEGACY FAMILIES University of Central Missouri Alumni Legacy Families are current students and alumni whose family members —including children, parents, stepparents or grandparents — attended UCM. Alumni Legacy Families share a special history across multiple generations. The UCM Alumni Foundation is proud to welcome Legacy Alumni as guests at university events, visitors at Smiser Alumni Center and members of our online community. ALUM FROM DAY ONE PROGRAM The Student Chapter is designed to get students involved with the UCM Alumni Foundation right from
the start. We consider every student to be an Alum From Day One! Students focus on leadership, philanthropy, connections and traditions.
alumni. These student leaders often transition to young alumni leadership positions in their respective MuleNation chapters upon graduation.
ALUMNI AMBASSADORS Alumni Ambassadors are an elite group of student leaders who represent a diverse range of educational disciplines. These students serve as hosts at alumni events and share their perspective on university matters with the UCM Alumni Foundation Board of Directors. Alumni Ambassadors lead the MuleNation Student Chapter and also spend time writing thankyou notes to donors, making phone calls and building relationships with
UCM TRADITIONS KEEPER Since 1871 students have embraced the culture and spirit of the University of Central Missouri. Each generation of students upholds UCM’s time-tested traditions, modernizes others and creates their own. The UCM Traditions Keeper program celebrates nearly 100 UCM traditions with an app that allows both students and alumni to check off the ones they’ve observed and collect a token of appreciation for each milestone they reach. Learn more at ucmo.edu/traditions-keeper.
ALUMNI AWARDS Each year, the UCM Alumni Foundation Board of Directors honors graduates of the university who have demonstrated high achievement in their chosen fields. These alumni bring honor to the institution and uphold its reputation for excellence. DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD Since 1978, the UCM Alumni Foundation has presented the Distinguished Alumni Award to recognize outstanding graduates who are esteemed by their peers as “the brightest and most distinguished” in their field.
award recognizes alumni who attended UCM as international students and have achieved professional distinction.
DISTINGUISHED INTERNATIONAL ALUMNI AWARD As a world-class institution of higher education, UCM is proud of its long history of educating exceptional students from around the globe. Established in 2002, this
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD FOR EARLY ACHIEVEMENT Established in 2017, this award recognizes graduates who achieve early career success at 40 years of age or younger.
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD FOR SERVICE The Distinguished Alumni Award for Service was established in 2012 to honor individuals who have given their time, talent and resources to exemplify the university’s motto of “Education for Service.”
Watch videos about our outstanding Distinguished Alumni and make a nomination at ucmfoundation.org/awards.
FOUNDING PHILANTHROPIST The Founders Society recognizes donors who have contributed $25,000 or more cumulative in their lifetime to the UCM Alumni Foundation — through outright contributions and/or documented planned gift intentions. Established in 2021, the Founding Philanthropist Award honors select donors who have contributed above and beyond the minimum requirement.
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MAKE AN IMPACT BY VOLUNTEERING Volunteering is a great way to give back, or “pay it forward.” Any contribution of time and talent is welcome. Discover the volunteering opportunities that mean the most to you!
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ACADEMIC VOLUNTEER Academic volunteers work closely with faculty to provide mentorship for students, give classroom presentations or serve on a program-specific advisory board.
CAREER SERVICES VOLUNTEER Career Services volunteers help prepare UCM students for the workforce through internships, job shadowing, resume reviews, mock interviews, networking and virtual or in-person career guidance.
EVENT VOLUNTEER Alumni event volunteers lend their expertise by planning, promoting, hosting or simply being on hand at a MuleNation gathering to greet guests or help out as needed.
FUNDRAISING VOLUNTEER Fundraising volunteers raise money for the university by championing crowdfunding campaigns, creating social media fundraisers and simply asking friends and family to make a tax-deductible donation to UCM.
SOCIAL MEDIA VOLUNTEER Social-savvy alumni can help grow the MuleNation network by tagging fellow graduates, using specific hashtags and sharing posts to encourage involvement.
STUDENT RECRUITMENT VOLUNTEER Student recruitment volunteers work with Admissions to help find the next generation of Mules and Jennies through outreach at high school fairs, community events or various mentoring and networking opportunities.
Not seeing the right opportunity for you? Create your own! The possibilities for volunteering are limited only by your imagination. Learn more about volunteering at ucmfoundation.org/volunteer.
MULES AND JENNIES
HIRE
If you have employment opportunities (part time, internship, contract or full time) to share with UCM students and alumni, please create an employer account through Handshake, the Career Services online recruiting system. This web-based product allows employers to access and update company information, manage/view on-campus interview schedules, register for events, request an information session and post job vacancies. For more information, contact the Career Services Center at recruiter@ucmo.edu or 660-543-4985. ucm
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This group is for UCM alumni under age 35 who wish to serve in a key advisory role with the UCM Alumni Foundation. Members provide expertise and insight to help steer alumni activities and amplify the university’s mission. This is a low-commitment remote activity. Join at ucmfoundation.org/mulenation. NOTES FROM OUR
STOMPING GROUND
Four times a year the UCM Alumni Foundation organizes a week of personalized letter writing to incoming students. Send your memories, love for your program and best wishes by writing letters with our team in the Smiser Alumni Center or participating remotely. Get involved at ucmfoundation.org/ stomping-ground.
HOW YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE The generosity of our alumni community enables the University of Central Missouri to continue delivering high-quality, affordable higher education to all who seek it. Private support creates scholarships, promotes faculty innovation, funds cutting-edge facilities and maintenance of existing operations, and positions the university as a leader in preparing students for success in an ever-evolving job market.
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CAPITAL PROJECTS Throughout the university’s history, private gifts have helped expand and enhance the UCM campus, by: • Helping to fund the James C. Kirkpatrick Library • Enabling the renovation of the Ward Edwards Building • Adding the Smiser Alumni Center to the Elliott Student Union • Beautifying campus with an outdoor sculpture collection • Developing some of the best athletic facilities among NCAA Division II universities ACADEMICS Your support of UCM’s colleges, schools and academic programs significantly impacts the lives of students and faculty alike. From enhancing classrooms and labs with the latest equipment to funding educational seminars and competitions, alumni gifts contribute to UCM’s tradition of academic excellence.
RESEARCH Gifts that support research make it possible for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty, to pursue scholarly and creative activities. Private donations enable students and faculty to travel to professional conferences and present their research findings or exhibit their creative work. CENTRAL ANNUAL FUND Rather than restrict your gift to a specific capital project or academic program, you can choose to give to the Central Annual Fund. This is an unrestricted fund supporting the university’s greatest needs. Contribute to the Central Annual Fund at ucmfoundation.org/give.
SCHOLARSHIPS The UCM Alumni Foundation is proud to offer more than 600 active scholarships through UCM Scholarship Finder. The Alumni Foundation awards over $1.3 million in scholarships each year. Students can easily find the right fit for their needs, interests and field of study through a streamlined application process. These scholarships are possible because of generous donations from UCM alumni and friends. Anyone can set up a scholarship endowment to honor a loved one; support students in a particular college, school or program of study; give students the financial boost they need to complete their degree; assist incoming students from a specific location; encourage advancement of an art form or sport; or simply create a lasting legacy. UCM has hundreds of pre-established scholarships in need of contributions. You can donate to an existing fund or start your own. To learn more, visit ucmfoundation.org/scholarships.
MATCHING GIFTS Some employers sponsor programs that match any charitable contributions or volunteer hours made by their employees. Find out if your company offers a matching gift for the UCM Alumni Foundation, a charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax ID # 43-1181566. Check for your company at ucmfoundation.org/giftmatch.
The $25,000 commitment required for a scholarship endowment secures membership in UCM’s prestigious Founders Society. Whether a scholarship, outright contribution or planned gift intention, a lifetime investment of this amount or more puts donors in our most prestigious giving society. Founders Society members are invited to our annual Evening of Appreciation event and Homecoming donor appreciation breakfast. As a token of our appreciation, members also receive a membership certificate and lapel pin. Gifts are presented at the annual Evening of Appreciation and may vary year to year.
UCM’s Heritage Society recognizes those who have made a documented planned gift, estate gift or intention. As a token of our appreciation, members receive a Heritage Society lapel pin and writing pen set. They are also invited to our annual Homecoming donor appreciation breakfast.
An annual gift of $1,000 or more per fiscal year to the Central Annual Fund secures membership in UCM’s 1871 Society. Members are invited to our annual Homecoming donor appreciation breakfast and receive an 1871 window decal to show their UCM pride. Learn more about giving societies at ucmfoundation.org/ giving-societies.
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UCM ALUMNI FOUNDATION PO BOX 800, SMISER ALUMNI CENTER WARRENSBURG, MO 64093 PHONE: 660-543-8000 alumni@ucmo.edu | ucmfoundation.org Tag friends and fellow alumni in posts you see on UCM’s channels and share posts to increase engagement among our online community!
#MuleNation #AlumFromDay1