MTSU employees pledge record $161K-plus for 2024-25 Charitable Giving Campaign

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University employees again showed their True Blue support for the Midstate community by pledging a record $161,000-plus to bolster the critical work of nonprofit organizations through the annual Employee Charitable Giving Campaign.

The $161,394.77 raised surpassed the $160,000 goal for the 2024-25 campaign and follows a string of record-breaking campaigns the past several years. The amount pledged by 768 donors equates to a pledge of $228.60 average per giver.

Sidney A. McPhee, MTSU President — Dr. Sidney A. McPhee

“Even with widespread economic pressures on personal and family budgets, our employees once again recognized the importance of supporting this worthy cause that will enhance the important work of area nonprofits who provide invaluable services to those in need,” said MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee.

The previous year’s campaign also set a record with more than $158,000 pledged, surpassing the goal of $147,500.

“I must share my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all those who participated this year and are willingly sharing their financial resources to conclude another successful, record-breaking effort,” McPhee added. “And a special thanks to those employees from across our campus community who volunteered their time and talents to promote the importance of this annual drive. This campaign is a perfect reflection of the True Blue spirit at this university.”

Launched at the first of October and running until Nov. 15, this year’s campaign was led by a committee of faculty and staff volunteers to rally financial support for a host of worthy causes throughout the community and region. Weekly drawings were held throughout the campaign with prizes ranging from parking spaces to various MTSU-branded promotional items.

Middle Tennessee State University Provost Mark Byrnes, left, recently returns the Provost Cup to Joyce Heames, dean of the Jennings A. Jones College of Business, in the lobby of the Cope Administration Building on the MTSU campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. For the 12th straight year, the Jones College was awarded the cup for having the highest percentage participation of faculty as part of the friendly competition among academic colleges during the annual Employee Charitable Giving Campaign. The 2024-25 campaign raised a record $161,000-plus in support of area nonprofits. (MTSU photo by Allison McGoffin)

As part of the campaign and what has become common occurrence, University Provost Mark Byrnes again presented the Provost’s Cup to the Jennings A. Jones College of Business, which now has won the trophy a dozen years straight for the most participation in the campaign as part of a friendly competition among the academic colleges. Dean Joyce Heames recently took possession of cup from Byrnes at the Cope Administration Building.

“I’m very grateful to all the faculty and staff who participated in this year’s Charitable Giving Campaign,” Byrnes said. “Their generosity demonstrates that not only are we dedicated to serving our students, we care about the people in the community where we live and work.”

MTSU employees contribute to the campaign online by going to https://mtsu.edu/mtsucares and following a link there to an online giving form. From the site, employees can designate one-time or monthly payroll deductions to any of four independent charities and three federated charitable organizations including Community Shares, Creating Healthier Communities, and local United Ways.

— Jimmy Hart (Jimmy.Hart@mtsu.edu)