Neosho, MO – Crowder College is receiving a $1.4 million gift that, among many things, will fund the school’s first endowed faculty position. A check presentation was held in the Arnold Farber building lobby, Thursday, July 6, 2:30pm.

Dr. Katricia Pierson, college president, said the estate gift from Gretta “Mitsie” Renick is among the largest individual gifts in the college’s 60-year history.

“Mitsie’s gift will allow Crowder to endow a new faculty position in engineering technology, further leadership development of our students and help in several other areas,” Dr. Pierson said. She recalled meeting Mrs. Renick last fall.

“She was a vibrant woman, and was intent on keeping abreast of what not only was happening at the college, but on the national scene,” Dr. Pierson added.

Mrs. Renick, who died in March at age 94, was a retired General Dynamics employee who had a special place in her heart for students and those interested in engineering. She created the trust after the 2009 death of her husband. They were married 46 years.

With the gift not being designated it provided the college the opportunity to be creative to meet educational needs. Dr. Pierson said the college wants to expand the available engineering technology training to meet community needs, and naming the lead faculty person the Renick Endowed Faculty in Engineering Technology made sense. The position will be funded by part of the earnings.

Earnings from the fund also will support the Richard & Mitsie Renick President’s Leadership Academy, a special learning opportunity for up to 20 Crowder students each year. Participants interact with many influential and creative community leaders during the two-year program. They will participate in extracurricular activities that focus on leadership knowledge and skills.

“This is another way Mitsie is providing for students, not only today, but in the future as they grow to be leaders of our communities and our state,” Dr. Pierson added.

Additional parts of the gift will go toward construction of the Renick Press Box and other enhancements at the Roughrider Softball Field and to support the Crowder College Foundation efforts to encourage more philanthropic giving to benefit the college.