Page 5 - MGATODAY-Fall2017_lr

“Greatness” Campaign Economic Impact

In 2017, as we launched the “Greatness” Campaign, our first capital During FY2016, Middle Georgia State University had an economic
campaign in a decade, the Middle Georgia State University Foundation impact of approximately $250 million in Georgia — a 9 percent increase
welcomed its new executive director: Dr. Ken Fincher, our vice president over last year, according to a report released by the University System
for University Advancement, returns to his native Georgia by way of of Georgia this year.
Washington State University Tri-Cities in Richland, Washington. The region studied to determine our economic impact included
the counties in which the University’s campuses are located — Bibb,
Originally from LaGrange, PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT Bleckley, Dodge, Houston and Laurens — as well as Jones, Monroe,
Dr. Fincher returned to his OF MGA HAS INCREASED Peach, Crawford, Twiggs, Baldwin, Wilkinson and Pulaski. The University
home state to join Middle OVER THE PAST 5 YEARS: has the largest service area of any non-Atlanta-based institution in the
Georgia State in August state system, with five campuses spanning an area of more than 725
after serving as assistant 4 4 % $606,000 square miles.
vice chancellor for The University also accounted for more than 2,740 jobs, both on and o
Advancement and $870,000INCREASE IN $ RAISED campus, up 7.9 percent from last year. These figures reflect not only
Community Engagement initial spending by the University and its students but also the multiplier
at Washington State 101% 818 e ect—money re-spent by community members after it entered the
Tri-Cities. He is a certified local economy.
fundraising professional INCREASE IN # OF DONORS 1,643
with a doctorate in
Psychology from the Beyond spending and employment, the
University of the Rockies. University is a major provider of human
capital for the region, particularly for
Dr. Fincher earned his master’s in Philanthropy and Development from in-demand opportunities such as
St. Mary’s University and his bachelor’s in Social Science from Shorter education, healthcare and technology.
University, where he later served as vice president of Institutional According to the Georgia Department
Advancement. of Economic Development, 60 percent
of jobs in this state will require a
He now leads a team that has launched a new MGA Athletics post-secondary credential by the year $250
Association, secured $1.6 million in pledges for the Campaign thus 2020. Since 2012, Middle Georgia State
far, brought employee participation to 70 percent and increased has issued more than 6,000 of those million
alumni giving by 39 percent since 2015. credentials.
Starting this year, those diplomas economic impact
The Foundation awards more than included not only bachelor’s and
$330,000 in life-changing scholarships associate’s degrees and certificates but isnervMicGe aAre’sa
annually. Under new leadership, we also nearly 50 master’s degrees, as the
anticipate continued improvement in initial cohorts of our graduate programs
diversifying our resources through private began completing their courses of
support for our students and continued study.
growth in community and alumni
engagement.

Dr. Ken Fincher