Graham Somerville, right, general manager of Chevron U.S.A. Products Company's Pascagoula refinery, recently visited with President Donald Zacharias to make a significant contribution to the university's first-ever major gifts effort. Chevron's $600,000 commitment to The Campaign for Mississippi State will support the College of Engineering and Chevron's Community Pride Program in the Cooperative Extension Service.

Chevron commits $600,000 to The Campaign for Mississippi State

The announcement came during a reception hosted by President Donald Zacharias on campus Nov. 27.

Commitments to The Campaign for Mississippi State had topped $64 million by mid-October. The five-year campaign, now entering its second year, seeks $78 million in support of university priorities.

Graham Somerville, general manager of Chevron U.S.A. Products Company's Pascagoula refinery, presented university President Donald Zacharias a $75,000 check as the first installment on the gift. Subsequent annual donations of $105,000 will be made over the next five years.

"I trust this level of support from Chevron will move this campaign forward and provide incentive and momentum to reach the goal of $78 million," Somerville said. "Chevron is pleased with our working relationship with Mississippi State University in enhancing youth development and providing engineering education and support to its students and faculty."

Of the $600,000 total, $250,000 is designated for Chevron's existing Community Pride Program in the university's Cooperative Extension Service. The program provides grants and awards to communities, schools, clubs, and groups to stimulate local initiatives in environmental education and environmental improvements.

"The Cooperative Extension Service at Mississippi State has been an integral part of Chevron's outreach to the public in the area of environmental education and youth development programs, and we're pleased to enhance the Community Pride Program."

The remaining $350,000 is designated for the College of Engineering to support the departments of chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. The departments will use the funds to meet their top priority needs, including scholarships and programs that promote minority involvement in engineering.

"We are deeply indebted to Chevron and will use their financial support to continue to provide outstanding educational opportunities for the citizens of this state," Zacharias said. "Corporate support is crucial to this campaign and to the future of Mississippi State University. This commitment by Chevron will serve as a foundation for soliciting the support of the entire corporate community in the state of Mississippi."

The Campaign for Mississippi State: To Serve Mississippi . . . and Beyond seeks $20 million for scholarships and financial aid, $17 million for faculty development, $18 million for educational program enhancement, $3 million for library enhancement, $10 million for buildings, and $10 million for the university's endowment for the future.

Campaign commitments--including outright gifts, pledges payable over five years, and deferred gifts--totaled more than $64 million as of mid-October. The campaign officially began on July 1, 1992, and continues through mid-1997.

Campaign solicitations so far have focused on larger gifts, and 12 commitments of $1 million or more have been formalized. The national phase of the campaign, which seeks participation at all giving levels, is being conducted this fall. A faculty and staff phase is planned for next spring.