May 19th, 2026
Stephanie Fitzgerald - MSUAF - Bobcats for Life (cultivating a lifelong connection)
Cultivation for Lifelong Engagement:
- Philanthropy and Lifelong Engagement: only ~7% of alumni from Millennial and Gen Z are giving
- Alumni Giving Gap- how to create stronger relationships that makes alums want to give back
- Invisible Philanthropy - do students know how it shows up on our campus?
- Critical Undergraduate Window - 4 years to create the relationship and a lifelong piece
- Relational Engagement Shift - move from transactional to philanthropic (time, talent, and treasure)
Core Framework:
- Awareness
- Gratitude
- Giving - doesn't have to be money!
Bobcats for Life in Action:
- Visible Philanthropy on Campus - physical signage on campus
- Storytelling - campus tours, orientations, etc.
- Intentional Reflection Moments - social media campaigns, etc. (intentional pauses)
- Gratitude Celebrations - gratitude walls, thank you note campaigns, etc., Philanthropy Week
- Alumni Connectivity - bringing in younger alumni and having students thank alumni
Contacts at MSUAF:
- Andrea Lambert - AVP of Annual Giving: andrea.lambert@msuaf.org
- Kalysta Tripp - Assistant Director of Engagement: kalysta.tripp@msuaf.org
Questions:
- The Education piece - how do we help students understand where funding comes from?
- Idea: Philanthropy Day to feature MSUAF in the library!
- Convos about different generations and how we give
- Matt - example story ~Sophie Stagmier's death in August / how philanthropy helped create Sophie's Swing
For the good of the order:
- Library: construction is happening but they're still open!
- Floats with new students! Happening during orientations at the Library!
- June 8th 3-4:30 / 22nd 3-4:30 /July 13: 3-4:30 - in lobby
- Floats with new students! Happening during orientations at the Library!
- Registrar: Process for dropping for non-payment: Up to the 15th day to drop the class
- Summer: used to drop in July, but NOW: it's a bit complicated with all of the different sessions
- Website is updated, so is financial aid and student accounts
- Students will get emails w/dates
- MSU Debut (OSE): from the outside will look the same, but tweaks to make it better
;)
- No deadlines for club registrations - ongoing! Reach out to Pruden with questions
- Writing Center: We are open! Grad tutor and undergrad tutor on staff this summer
- It doesn't have to be for courses!
- Just in Wilson for the summer - GTA tutor is in Culbertson certain days
- Financial Aid: Scholarship notifications for students - working on improving communication in Nav
- Library and writing center present early fall - September 9th!
