Dedicated students, distinguished colleagues and dear friends,

Happy Friday!

Earlier this month, I received a letter announcing the “Andrew Carnegie Foundation.” Yes, the same Andrew Carnegie who established his foundation 115 years ago. In fact, the letter was titled exactly that, “Announcing the Andrew Carnegie Foundation.” So, I was surprised. But the letter went on to say, “To honor the founder of one of the country’s first grantmaking philanthropies, Carnegie Corporation of New York announced today that it has changed its name to the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. The new name recognizes the role of Andrew Carnegie, the Scottish immigrant who established the foundation on June 9, 1911.”

But the impetus was strong enough to prompt me to read a bit about the world of the early 20th century, the motivation behind Mr. Carnegie’s establishment of his foundation, and the myriads of disciplines it has promoted. I also thought of some of the parallels with Fred Kummer and the Kummer Missouri S&T Foundation that he and June established here at S&T, a mere 5 years ago. 

Although I knew about the Carnegie Corporation of New York and had benefited in multiple ways from the organization throughout my academic career, the truth is that I did not know much about Andrew Carnegie or his worldview. The more I read, the more fascinated I became with this great man and his philanthropic endeavors. Like many historical figures, Mr. Carnegie remains a complex individual who draws criticism, but the positive effects of his philanthropy cannot be denied. Nonetheless, this remarkable philanthropist, who once called one of his philanthropic gifts, “the most soul-satisfying public gift I ever made or ever can make. … This is the crowning mercy of my career!” should be recognized for the impact his foundation has made on communities across the world.

It was heartwarming for me to learn that on December 10, 2001, the centennial of the day Andrew Carnegie committed himself to philanthropy, resolutions were ratified to mark that momentous occasion. One of the resolutions created the Andrew Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy, to be awarded “… to an individual or individuals embodying our founder’s vision of assuring that private wealth serves the public good. … these awards will stand as testimony to the power of one person to make a difference …” Heartwarming, to say the least. 

Fast forward from Carnegie’s time to October 9, 2020, when one such individual decided to ensure that “his private wealth serves the public good,” and established the Kummer Missouri S&T Foundation Board with a gift of $300 million. Fred had the clarity, conviction, courage and sense of community necessary to make his transformational gift, proclaiming a new beginning for his beloved alma mater, Missouri S&T.

Just like the now “Andrew Carnegie Foundation,” the Kummer Missouri S&T Foundation is changing lives one student at a time. Correction: hundreds of students at a time! The Kummer Vanguard Scholars program for undergraduate students, Kummer Innovation and Entrepreneurial Fellows program for Ph.D. students, numerous Kummer faculty endowments, Kummer Institute Centers, and his favorite of all, the Kummer Center for STEM Education, are all examples of peerless programs created through Kummer's generosity that have an almost unparalleled potential to change and elevate lives.

Today, how I wish it were possible to walk with Fred and June, the innovative engineer and the master architect, through our new Havener Arrival Complex, the Welcome Center, the Innovation Lab, the Kummer Student Design Center, the Protoplex, the Applied Research Center, and the upcoming Bioplex. I can only imagine an enlightening exchange in which Fred and June would share their original visions for these monumental facilities made possible by their generous contributions. I could then highlight all the new services that have been offered to students since they founded the Kummer Foundation. It would be incredible to see our new campus through their eyes.

Academically, as our faculty colleagues create new programs to prepare students for careers of the future, Fred's vision and commitment to support them, his insistence on pragmatic impact, and his mandate for us to provide opportunity remain the inspiration and the responsibility of all of us who serve at this wonderful institution. 

Oh, it is also important to highlight that an impressive number of people, including the Kummer Missouri S&T Foundation Board members, serve in a variety of capacities to ensure that Kummer's vision continues to guide all that we do here in support of our students, faculty and staff. Further, many other generous alumni have also stepped forward to fund and support the foundation and its peerless goals. 

Fred, as I write this message that was triggered by a simple letter announcing a much-needed name change from the Carnegie Corporation of New York to the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, I have no doubt that Mr. Carnegie would have tipped his hat to you and June for bestowing one of the best “soul satisfying gifts” of all time to your university. I just wish I could have nominated you for the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy.

Warmly,

-Mo.
 
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Mohammad Dehghani, PhD
Chancellor
mo@mst.edu | 573-341-4116

206 Parker Hall, 300 West 13th Street, Rolla, MO 65409-0910
chancellor.mst.edu