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Education news and issues in the Ozarks.

Contributions to Endowment Honoring Former MSU Professor Tops $50,000

Photo Credit: Missouri State University
Photo Credit: Missouri State University

Over the past several months, officials at Missouri State University have been working to raise money for the Dr. Alice Bartee Endowment. As KSMU’s Theresa Bettmann reports, thanks to the contributions of many, and a recent gift of $25,000, the project is off to a great start.

http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/contributions-endowment-honoring-former-msu-professor-tops-50000_66762.mp3

Few professors carry a legacy like Dr. Alice Bartee.  She was the first woman at Missouri State to receive full professorship. Those who knew her best, or were one of her students, considered her a mentor, an advocate and a pioneer. 

MSU President Cliff Smart, recently offered a $25,000 raise by the Board of Governors, gifted that amount to the Bartee Endowment.  Smart says he had the pleasure of knowing Bartee and continues to hear countless stories from the students she has personally impacted over the years.

“You know, Alice Bartee was one of the great professors that we had at Missouri State.  She impacted as many students here as any professor here has.  We [my wife and I] have made two gifts. The first was to help endow a speaker series to bring really high quality speakers on campus.  The second is to provide scholarships for students under her name,” Smart says.

Dr. George Connor, department head of political science at MSU, is leading the effort to raise funds for the scholarship. He says President Smart’s gift has greatly grown the endowment created earlier this year.

“Because of President Smart’s generous donation, the Alice Bartee Endowed Scholarship now has, in cash and pledges, has reached the $50 thousand dollar mark.  We are extra grateful for the generosity of President Smart and his wife Gail.  It says a lot about the department, but it really says a lot about Alice Bartee and what she meant to this university,” says Connor. 

Connor adds that Bartee “looked after her students, one student at a time.”  He says it is because of this philosophy that many of her past students have given to the endowment.  

Another honor marking Bartee’s legacy will be the addition of her name on the MSU Wall of Fame later this fall. Click herefor a link to more information about the Dr. Alice Fleetwood Bartee Endowment . 

Click hereto read previous story about the Bartee Endowment

Click here for the story about Dr. Alice Bartee featured during Women's History Month

Theresa received her undergraduate degree in sociology at Missouri State University, as well as her Master's degree in Social Work at MSU. Theresa enjoys writing, drawing, reading, music, working with animals, and most of all spending time with her family. She wishes to continue to use her experiences, combined with her pursuit of education, to foster a sense of empowerment and social awareness in the community. Theresa loves working with KSMU and attributes her passion for NPR, and love of learning, to her father.