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New A&M-Commerce Campaign Responds to $3 Million Challenge
“This is one of the most exciting opportunities that has ever been presented to our University,” said Dr. Keith D. McFarland, president of Texas A&M University-
Commerce.
McFarland’s unbridled enthusiasm has been inspired by a $3 million challenge gift that an anonymous donor has offered to the University in support of the music
program.
Although the anonymous benefactor has no formal music training and never attended A&M-Commerce, he has an appreciation for music. “He recognized the great potential waiting to be realized in our program,” said Dr. Jim Deaton, head of A&M-Commerce’s Department of Music.		 Music for the Millenium Excellence Campaign
Signature Programs
This opportunity responds to a charge McFarland made to the A&M-Commerce academic community to develop “flagship” programs, at least one signature program of national repute and two or more academic programs that will be recognized as among the best in the Southwest.
“This challenge gift represents potential,” Dr. McFarland said. “If we are successful in meeting the challenge, it will enable us to build on the solid foundation that our music department has established and create one of the strongest music programs in the Southwest,” he explained.
“I can’t over-emphasize how important it is to the University that each of us supports this campaign to the greatest extent possible so that we can take full advantage of this what may be a once-in-a-lifetime matching gift opportunity,” McFarland said.
The anonymous donor is providing the means for the Department of Music to achieve a new level of excellence. He has pledged to provide a dollar-for-dollar match for any gift that is made to support the music program between now and mid-April 2001.

Campaign Launched
In response, a fund raising campaign has been launched as a joint effort of the Texas A&M University-Commerce Foundation, Inc. and the University.
“This campaign will seek gifts for the Music Excellence Fund from university alumni, friends of the music program, corporations, foundations and any other source we can identify,” said Deaton, who is helping coordinate the fund raising effort.

Gifts to the campaign will establish what Dr. McFarland calls a “seed fund” for music excellence.
“It will provide the financial impetus—the seed money, so to speak—to help us explore a number of possible initiatives to expand and strengthen our music program,” McFarland said.

Needs Identified
Among the needs that have been identified are a new symphony center, a music scholarship endowment, endowed music professorships and a fund to support cultural enrichment throughout the University’s service area.
The price tag for those proposed initiatives is an estimated $17.5 million. “Our Department of Music has a well-deserved reputation for excellence, both as a source of music teachers for the nation’s schools and as a musical performance organization,” said the A&M-Commerce president. He is quick to point out that in 1999 the Lion Marching Band was named one of the top 10 collegiate marching bands in the country, right along with the University of Michigan.
“This generous pledge will enable us to expand the program, improve our facilities, and extend the reach and impact of quality music and music education to the most remote parts of our service area,” McFarland said.

Facilities Targeted
Deaton said that the campaign will help address a number of music department needs, including new or renovated performance, rehearsal and studio space.
R. Jay Phillips of Dallas, retired CEO of Corpus Christi Bancshares, Inc., and an alumnus of the music program, has agreed to serve as volunteer chair of the campaign.
“Anyone who enjoys quality musical performances; anyone who has had any past association with the Department of Music or who is interested in excellence at A&M-Commerce, should invest in this effort,” Phillips said. “It represents a fund raising benchmark for the University and an opportunity to develop a music program of national repute.”

Gifts Doubled
Phillips pointed out that the impact of gifts to this campaign will be doubled since they will be matched by the anonymous donor. The gifts of donors who work for companies that match the employee’s gift have the potential to be quadrupled.
“Even the smallest investment will have an impact in this campaign,” Phillips said. Campaign investments may take many forms, including checks made payable to the Texas A&M University-Commerce Foundation and earmarked for the “Music Excellence Fund.” The Foundation is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization that was established in 1970 to receive and manage gifts on behalf of the University. All gifts to the Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by law and may be forwarded to: Texas A&M University-Commerce Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 3425, Commerce, TX 75429-9982.

Music Excellence Fund
Gifts also may be made payable to Texas A&M University-Commerce and earmarked for the “Music Excellence Fund.”
A form to complete and return with your investment may be found on page 13 in this issue of The Pride along with additional details about the campaign.
Your investment in the Music Excellence Fund will help shape the future of Texas A&M University-Commerce as a university of the first rank.