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Alumnus express MU pride through philanthropy May 1, 2004 - On April 30, 2004 at Reynolds Alumni Center, an announcement was made to recognize Mary Agnes and Al McQuinn for establishing a $5 million challenge gift to the College of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources. The $5 million dollar gift is going to the McQuinn Fund for Academic Excellence, a scholarship fund for students who demonstrate academic excellence. "We can make this money grow and we have alumni and staff who are committed to contributing many funds for MU students," Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Brady Deaton said. "This University and the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources is great," McQuinn said. "This school is destined to go forward and to be recognized nationally. It has always impressed me with the way is it organized and it has made a huge impact on the rest of the country participating in agriculture. Mizzou is outstanding in who they are and what they stand for. The appearance of this university gives us pride- Jesse Hall and the Columns stand just as beautiful and gives this institution a proud reputation." The celebration started off with Vice Chancellor & Dean of CAFNR Tom Payne giving a welcoming speech for arriving staff members. Following Payne was chancellor Richard Wallace announcing the gift to the public. "This gift from the McQuinns is unrestricted, and it is needed
most to improve CAFNR," Wallace said. "Their donation is challenging
other companies, organizatons, and businesses to give back to the community."
"Here are two people who have the roots of Harry S. Truman," Deaton said. "Originally from Independence, Mo., he has seen the impact a gift can have on the MU campus, and took the initiative to step out and give to his degree program." Al and Mary McQuinn also gave speeches responding to the appreciation of the MU faculty, and ways they can become involved in helping MU students receive an education. "We are fortunate to determine where and what we can invest to society to give others the opportunity to give back to society through education," McQuinn said. "What we see in this gift is equipping students with knowledge to serve the community. All of society benefits from education." Al McQuinn is an entrepreneur who graduated with a B.S. in Agricultural Economics from MU in 1954. In 1963, He founded Ag-Chem Equipment Co., Inc. In 2000, Farm Chemicals magazine named McQuinn to its list of the top 10 people who were most influential in shaping 20th century agriculture. He holds six patents in precision agriculture, which uses technology to manage individual areas of a field to improve yields, control inputs and reduce pollution. Al and Mary Agnes McQuinn will also have the atrium in the new Life Sciences Center named in honor of them. In support of the Life Sciences Center, they made a gift of $1 million toward the campaign. For more information on Al McQuinn, check out the website http://www.mizzou.com/awardwinners/mcquinn.htm. For more information on this donation, you can go to the website www.cafnr.missouri.edu.
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