A major matching donation will enable Raiders’ Closet to boost its wardrobe and its ability to clothe MTSU students properly for job interviews.

Modern Woodmen of America, a fraternal benefit society that provides financial expertise for its members, has responded to $2,500 raised by an MTSU class with matching funds of $2,500.

“Our members and these students truly came together to support a local need,” said Dusty Stearns, managing partner of Modern Woodmen’s Murfreesboro office. “That support is what it’s all about.”

Stearns said Modern Woodmen’s Matching Fund Program contributes more than $10 million nationwide to community needs each year.

“Knowing Virginia’s vision and what Raiders’ Closet means to the campus community, this project was a no-brainer,” said Stearns.

The original $2,500 came from a silent auction conducted over two days in April 2015 on campus by students in two managerial decision-making classes led by Jean Wilson, an instructor and coordinator of career planning.

“Modern Woodmen had agreed to match whatever they raised from the silent auction,” said Dr. Virginia Hemby-Grubb, a professor of marketing and director of Raiders’ Closet.

Dr. Virginia Hemby-Grubb, right, an MTSU professor of marketing and director of Raiders’ Closet, accepts a document acknowledging a $2,500 donation from Rusty Stearns, managing partner of Modern Woodmen of America’s Murfreesboro office, at Franklin Synergy Bank. (Photo submitted)

Collecting the matching money, however, took longer than anyone had anticipated.

“When the phone call came in about a month or so ago, I was stunned, because I had completely forgotten about it,” said Hemby-Grubb.

“It might have taken a little while to get there, but that’s OK.”

Raiders’ Closet is a nonprofit service located in Room 327 of MTSU’s Keathley University Center. It stocks business-appropriate suits, dresses, separates and accessories that students can obtain free.

Both monetary and clothing donations for Raiders’ Closet are accepted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday in Room N349 of the Business and Aerospace Building.

Monetary donations enable Hemby-Grubb to replenish supplies and to find clothing for hard-to-fit students.

For more information, contact Hemby-Grubb at 615-898-2369 or virginia.hemby-grubb@mtsu.edu.
To learn more about Modern Woodmen’s Matching Fund Program, contact Stearns at 615-553-2278 or dusty.stearns@mwarep.org.

— Gina K. Logue (gina.logue@mtsu.edu)