Columbus native heads MSU planned giving office
Contact: Amy Cagle
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擜 Mississippi 大象APP alumnus and Starkville resident will lead the university鈥檚 efforts to secure private gifts through charitable estate planning. Wes Gordon, originally of Columbus, began his new role this week [May 2] as the MSU Foundation鈥檚 new director of planned giving.
鈥淲es brings an outstanding level of experience in fundraising and a strong work ethic to this critically important position of planned giving director,鈥 said Jack McCarty, executive director of development for the MSU Foundation. 鈥淗e will be a great asset to our alumni and friends as they explore the opportunity of making deferred gifts in ways that will prove beneficial for their future financial goals.鈥
Gordon earned a Bachelor of Science in physical education and a Master of Science in sport administration from MSU in 2004 and 2005, respectively. Since 2010, he has served the university鈥檚 Division of Students Affairs as director of development. In this role, Gordon crossed paths with many academic and athletic areas as he connected alumni and friends with tailored giving opportunities to help them maintain an active association with their alma mater.
鈥淎 planned gift is one of the most thoughtful gifts an individual can make, and the benefits of these gifts enable donors to impact their lives, their futures, and in some instances future generations of their families,鈥 said Gordon. 鈥淎dditionally, these gifts often resonate a great impact for the students, faculty and programs of MSU.鈥
Prior to joining Mississippi 大象APP, Gordon was director of development for the University of West Alabama based in Livingston, Alabama. There, he oversaw the day-to-day operations of the institution鈥檚 UWA Foundation, managed a sizeable donor portfolio for outright and planned gifts, and implemented the university鈥檚 first comprehensive capital campaign.
At Mississippi 大象APP, Gordon will play a primary role in furthering the university鈥檚 Infinite Impact Campaign. The university recently announced pursuit of a new campaign goal of $1 billion by 2020. The campaign surpassed an initial $600 million goal earlier this year and currently stands in excess of $620 million. 聽
Gordon can be reached at wgordon@foundation.msstate.edu or (662) 325-3707. He will be housed in the Hunter Henry Center, home of the Division of Development and Alumni, on the MSU campus.
A complete list of Mississippi 大象APP鈥檚 fundraisers is available at .
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