Columbia College is pleased to announce record-setting generosity toward the institution’s eighth annual Giving Day, raising $781,851 from 545 donors in 26 states in support of our mission to improve lives.
The total surpasses last year’s Giving Day total by more than 70%, making it the most successful fundraising event in the 175-year history of the College.
Students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends rallied to support a wide range of initiatives to strengthen the College and expand opportunities for modern learners. These gifts will help fund scholarships, department initiatives and technology as well as strengthen Cougar Athletics, ensuring CC continues to deliver innovative, high-quality education and meets students right where they are at.
“It takes a village to support the success of Columbia College, and it takes the work of everyone in our college community – dollar by dollar, minute by minute – to make sure we have the financial resources and human capital that is necessary to fulfill our mission on a daily basis,” said Dr. Toby Arquette, who began March 2 as the College’s 19th President. “I am incredibly grateful for the record number of contributors who are fueling the momentum that is evident across the institution right now.”
The success of Giving Day epitomized the “All in for CC” mantra, as every division of the College was involved in the initiative. Each academic school identified giving opportunities through the event, enhancing the academic experience for students in the School of Arts & Sciences, School of Public Service and the Robert W. Plaster School of Business. Additionally, donors directly supported priorities of the coaches who lead the institution’s championship-caliber athletic teams.
The Blue Print, a student graphic design agency that launched this academic year, bolstered marketing efforts around the campaign. The team created the 2026 Giving Day logo and contributed social media content under the direction of faculty member Dr. Bethanie Irons.
A special student-driven campaign raised $2,000 for a new porch swing on main campus, made possible by a matching gift from the Student Government Association. Another highlight came in the form of nearly $6,000 raised to create a travel grant that will help the College’s Armed Forces graduates attend their Commencement ceremony on campus in Columbia.
Members of the Board of Trustees and Columbia College Alumni Association Advisory Council set a strong tone through their giving, with several members present for a Giving Day reception on main campus.
“The success of Giving Day displays the passion that the alumni and friends of Columbia College have for our institution,” said Vice President for Advancement Greg Hulen. “It was inspiring to see all the areas of the College, including our students, faculty, staff and coaches, come together to have a tremendous impact.”
Those still interested in making an impact can visit my.ccis.edu/GivingDay. For questions or to learn more about ways to support Columbia College, contact the Advancement team at ccgiving@ccis.edu or call (573) 875-7563.
Funding goals reached during 2026 Giving Day
- School of Arts & Sciences
- Art Field Trip: These gifts will help send CC Art students to Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kemper Art Museum in Kansas City, allowing them to experience one of the top art exhibits in the Midwest.
- The Blue Print Student Design Agency: These gifts will help purchase a new 70-inch television to help students with presentations and client meetings for The Blue Print. This will be displayed in the agency’s conference room in Brown Hall.
- Clean Up the Paint: These gifts will help our students clean up by purchasing a new sink for the CC painting room. The current sink is no longer properly working and we don’t want paint all over Brown Hall and the rest of campus!
- Empower Rising Psychology & Sociology Scholars: These gifts support CC Psychology and Sociology students by helping them attend regional conferences where they can learn from professionals, build connections and present their own work.
- High School Art Awards & Reception: These gifts will help recruit the next generation of Columbia College Art students by providing the funding to host an awards and reception for mid-Missouri high school students.
- Humanities Speaker Series: These gifts will provide funding to bring speakers to campus from history, philosophy, communication studies, English and Spanish. These events give students fresh ways to see the world and sharpen the skills that fuel both curiosity and careers.
- Ignite Innovation for Science Majors: These gifts will support our student scientists as they design and carry out real experiments, test bold ideas and develop the hands-on skills that prepare them for graduate study and STEM careers.
- Music Program Equipment: These gifts will support CC Music and the Jane Froman Singers by helping to purchase a new traveling keyboard. This will allow our students to have top-notch sound equipment as they travel across main campus and beyond!
- School of Public Service
- Help CC’s Future Nurses: These gifts invest in the success of CC’s Nursing Program by purchasing a new scantron machine. This will help the staff to best serve our growing program!
- Get CC Teachers Ready for the Classroom: These gifts will go toward a fund to help CC Education students with a financial need to purchase “teacher clothes” so they can look their best in their field placements.
- Order in the Court!: These gifts will help CC Mock Trial students be ready for their day in court.
- CC CSI: These gifts will help CC’s forensics team uncover the evidence! The funding will be used to purchase special lights that illustrate fibers and fluids in a lab environment.
- Robert W. Plaster School of Business
- Business Competition Team: These gifts will help CC bring home championships by contributing to the Business Competition Team. The funds will be used for scholarships to help Dean Jon Moberly recruit top high school business students to come to CC!
- Let’s Get Social: These gifts will help fund an additional student to work in the Center for Social Media & Alumni Communication for a semester.
- Cougar Athletics
- General Athletics Support: These gifts support all Cougar student-athletes and athletic programs.
- Above-and-beyond initiatives related to Women’s Basketball, Men’s Basketball, Cheer & Dance, Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field, Women’s Golf, Men’s Golf, Lacrosse, Women’s Soccer, Men’s Soccer, Softball and Volleyball were fully funded.
- Above-and-beyond initiatives related to Baseball, Bowling, Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field and Esports also received donations.
Thank you, 2026 Giving Day donors!
(As of March 13, 2026)
- Anita ’58 and James Abbott Timmons
- Acola Coffee Company
- Kathy Adams ’07
- Gregory Adank ’94
- Karen and Ken Akers
- Naomi Alcorn
- Armine and Anthony Alioto
- Fred ’97 and Maria Altrogge
- Doug Ames ’01
- Ann ’79 and Jim ’80 Anders
- Ann ’79 and Jim ’80 Anders
- Phillip ’12 and Lisa ’11 Armstrong
- James and Lesley Arnold
- Toby Arquette and Mark Oberle
- Assistance League of Mid-Missouri
- Atterberry Auction & Realty
- Lathenia Ayers ’10
- Lynne Stuver Baker ’64
- Doretha Baker-Davis ’08
- Juan Balderamos ’25
- Ingrid Ballard ’99
- Dewayne Barbee
- Jeffery ’99 and Theresa Beacham
- Dr. Mary and Jim Beck
- Lori Berdak Miller ’81
- Kathi and L’Mont Betz
- Gwendolyn and William ’76 Bigby
- Dana Billings
- Aaron Birdsong
- Jenna Bishop ’25
- Jaron Black
- H. Jane Blackman, M.D., ’64
- Deborah and Ted Bogucki
- Ryan Bontz
- Carrie and Rob Boone
- James Booth
- Danielle Boro
- Pat Bossaller
- Deraux Branch ’05
- Jennifer ’98 and Christopher Brandow
- Tomas and Abby Brock
- Mary Brown
- Truda Brown
- Lisa Brunstrom ’79
- Faye and Bob Burchard
- James Burras ’24
- Debbi Byrd ’76
- Karle Caine
- Paul Calia ’07
- Sherri Carinder
- Nicole ’00 and Robert Carter
- Central Bank of Boone County
- Melanie Cheney
- Christian Church – Disciples of Christ
- Robert ’97 and Inge Chronister
- Jeremy Ciesla ’22
- Martin ’08 and Lucia ’09 Cieszlak
- Dr. Kristina Clevenger and Dean Peterson
- Briana Cochrane
- Lillian Coffman
- Kim ’19 and Thomas ’08 Coke
- Timothy Collins ’76
- Columbia Orthopaedic Group, Inc.
- Brett Cooper
- Mark ’96 and Cathy Costley
- Kyle Cox ’22
- Jerry ’81 and Pamela Crisp
- Connie Crites
- Monte Cross
- Jane Crow ’57
- Jennifer Crump ’07
- Judy Cunningham ’64
- Wendy ’00 and B.J. Cunningham
- Don Cunningham ’79
- Daniel D’Alesio
- Adam Daniels
- Bridgette Davidson ’99
- Justin Davis ’14
- Denise Demps-Rollins ’06
- Debra ’90 and John Derboven
- Vandee ’06 and Stuart DeVore
- John Dillingham
- Vicki ’59 and Bradley Jones
- Samantha White and Tery Donelson
- Gerilyn Dooley ’19
- Rebecca Dossantos
- Kathleen ’12 and Jordan ’13 Dressler
- Jessica Dudenhoeffer ’16
- Centronella ’80 and Anthony Duff-Reed
- Selena Dulic
- Julia Dunn
- Robert ’82 and Carolyn East
- Nathan ’99 and Cathy ’18 Eatherton
- Kathryn Ebbers ’17
- Emily Edgington
- Robert Edmonson ’99
- Chantalle Edmunds ’16
- Cameron Elder
- Tim ’01 and Crystal ’02 Elliott
- Amy Enderle
- James Engle
- Amanda Erisman ’07
- Caleb Eubanks
- Luana Fields ’10
- Bev Figg ’82
- Stacey ’05 and Michael Finnigan
- Patty and Donald Fischer
- Susan Fisher ’13
- Jenny Flander
- Carla and Kevin Fletcher
- Kelli Fletcher
- Ann ’04 and Sam Fleury
- Miguel A. Flores
- Margie and Allen Floyd
- Christopher Ford ’14
- Keith ’07 and Colleen Foster
- Nicole and Stephen France ’23
- Rebekah Freese
- Stacy Friedrich
- Sophia Fuller
- Kimberly Gale ’12
- Gallaher Insurance Group
- Antonio Garcia ’06
- Tisha Garland
- Ellen ’88 and Orville Garrison
- Michael Garver ’03 and Jon Geers
- Susan Gater ’04
- Connie Gates
- Jennifer Gates ’14
- Denise ’16 and Edward Gelina
- Joyce Gentry
- Kevin Gentry ’18
- Beverly Gibbs ’10
- Tyrone Gibson ’25
- Erin ’20 and Grant Glover
- Alyson Goodale ’19
- Stacey ’93 and Jeff Goodale
- Laura and Kevin Graeler
- Brian Graham
- Anonymous (23)
- Claire Graver ’24
- Diane ’11 and Walter Gray
- Anna Greenwood ’15
- Kenneth Griffin ’15
- Daisy ’66 and Skip Grossnickle
- Drew ’01 and Katherine ’03 Grzella
- Kymberly Guerrero ’19
- Jeff Guinn
- Mark Haire ’20
- Shannon Hale ’05
- Amanda Hall ’07
- Dr. Sandy Hamar and Brian Graham
- Shaunda Hamilton
- Melanie and Darin Hand
- Brent Hanks
- Olivia Hannon
- Aidan Hansen ’16
- Shelley Hardeman
- Demond Harper ’07
- Alan Harris ’77 and Tracy MacClement
- Susan Hart
- Debra Hartman
- Clevelanda Harwood ’16
- Rosemarie Hauck ’93
- Mary Haven ’94
- Susan ’90 and Richard ’88 Hayden
- Sarah Hays ’25
- Damon and Rachel Helgevold
- Lori and Dale Helgevold
- Deborah Henderson ’80
- Gretchen Hendrickson
- Diane ’08 and Michael Hibbs
- Sally Hoener
- Donna Hoffman ’21
- Christina Hoff-Vollrath
- Maeve Hogan ’21
- Shenille Holland ’19
- Dawson Holter ’24
- Courtney Holtmeyer ’17
- Lisa Horner ’99
- Brenin Howell
- Greg and Lyndsey Hulen
- Deborah Hunkins
- Gregory Hurley ’15
- Lisa ’08 and Drew Hussey
- Laurel Hutsell
- Mary Lee Jahn ’67
- Tiffany ’11 and Michael Jenkins
- Patricia Jennings
- Sally ’66 and Stephen Jennings
- Jennifer Jewell
- Dan Jimenez
- Brian Johnson ’08
- Jenn Johnson ’20
- Jodi ’99 and Michael ’02 Johnson
- Joseph ’97 and Kathy Johnson
- Clarence ’18 and Alisha Johnson
- Bill ’82 and Janice Johnston
- Patricia Churchill and Greg Johnston ’91
- Allison Jones-Olson
- Daisy Joseph ’01
- Marineda ’94 and Frank ’86 Jung
- David Karr
- The Rev. Dr. Michael Kateman
- Kaley ’02 and Scott Keith
- Eloise and Paul Kelly
- Amanda Kennedy ’17
- Leslie ’00 and Patrick ’07 Kennon
- Michelle Kersey ’96
- Laura and Brian Kessel
- Brittany Kievit
- Danielle ’11 and Nick King
- Timothy ’02 and Danielle Kiser
- Amber Klasmeier ’22
- Carolyn Kleen
- Wayne Knapp ’89
- Derek ’87 and Julie Knight
- Matt Knudtson
- Charles Koenig ’19
- JoAnn Kolbe
- Lynn Lambert ’19
- Jill Layton
- Russell Ledbetter ’02
- Laura and Jeff Lentz
- David Leon ’16
- Landon Lindsay ’97 and Brian Drabik
- Chris ’85 and Melanie Linger
- Megan Lingo
- Steven Lipe ’11
- Jeannie ’90 and Dennis Livingston
- Anne Lober
- Amy Lodes-Witte ’92
- Diane ’67 and Michael Lodge
- Sandra and Gregory Logan ’79
- Deidra and Brad Lookingbill
- Leon ’80 and Angelika Loomis
- Jenifer Lounsbury
- Macie Lucas ’24
- Andrea ’80 and Andrew Luchen
- Marcia ’96 and David Machens
- Magelings LLC
- Mandy Main
- Angela Malone
- Sherell Mansfield ’19
- Amethyst Marie
- Shapree Marshall ’23
- Jacob Martin
- Zachary Maskill ’18
- René ’01 and Gary Massey
- Chad Massman ’12 and Emma Schiermeier
- Salena and Garry Maxwell ’17
- Mason ’19 and Hannah ’21 McCaleb
- Melissa ’22 and Cameron McConnell
- Alex Mccrary ’24
- June McElroy
- Michael and Cindy McFarland ’06
- Jacob McGinnis ’21
- James Mcguffee
- Douglas ’07 and Chelsea McIntosh
- Keith McIver
- Cathy McKay
- Ronald McKinnon ’16
- Stephen McLane ’08
- Mandy McNeely
- Anthony McRoberts ’05
- Victoria Meier ’24
- Ann and Don Merrifield
- Julie Mervar ’18
- Kenneth Meyer
- Allene Miller
- Avery Miller ’21
- Robert Miller ’82
- Samantha Miller ’03
- Johana Mitchell ’14
- Sherrelle Mitchell ’19
- Jonathon Moberly and Jennifer Fruend
- Missy Montgomery ’06
- Cammie Moran
- Wayne Morgan ’76
- Kiarah Morris
- Larry and Cherryl Morrow ’68
- Sarah and Ralph Mounter ’01
- Alice ’93 and Daniel Moy
- Audrey Mudd ’24
- Joshua ’99 and Ann Muder
- Sarah and Darren Munns
- Shannon Murata-Morales ’95 and Stephen Morales
- Carol Murdock ’69
- Ellen Mwenesongole
- Jill Myers
- Juanita Neier ’91
- Jaime ’04 and Brad Nelson
- John ’88 and Lorrie Ney
- Joe ’79 and Judy Nicchetta
- Blake Nielsen
- Brenda ’90 and Brad Noblitt
- Joshua Nutt ’12
- Vincent Ogburn ’04
- Matthew O’Hanlon ’97
- Kevin ’14 and Charlotte ’20 Onstott
- Diane Ooton
- Jared Opoien
- Tera ’21 and Justin ’17 Palozola
- Mary ’61 and Lannie Patton
- Angela ’87 and Jim ’87 Peregoy
- LeAnn Perkins ’96
- Janet Pestle
- James ’05 and Sally Petermann
- Traci Peters
- Colleen ’73 and Brad Peterson
- Jim and Linda Peterson ’99
- Kristina and James Peterson
- Calvin ’76 and Barbara Posner
- Cindy ’05 and Cory Potter
- Chellie Powell ’61
- Rona ’08 and Joseph Prater
- Paul Prevo ’17
- Sarah Prewette
- Natalie ’20 and Micah Preyer
- James ’74 and Grace Proctor
- Professional Contractors & Engineers
- Megan Ramsey ’06
- Mike Hon. ’14 and Carole Randerson
- Greg Raper ’76
- Ron ’10 and Cassandra Reed
- Shiela ’92 and Sandy Reed
- Jennifer and Andrew Reeves
- Jared Reichel ’16
- Sean ’12 and Colleen Reilly
- Esther Rentschler ’02
- Lisa Reyes ’12
- Sonda Ridgway ’04
- Cheryl Ritchie ’78
- Lauren Robb
- Vickie Robb
- Roberson
- Amanda Purchase Roberts and David Roberts
- Lisa ’99 and Elton Rodgers
- Lazaro Rodriguez ’18
- Genie Rogers
- Kaitlyn Rothwell ’21
- Olivia Rothwell ’22
- Suzanne and Jim Rothwell ’93
- Jeannie M. Rulo ’18 and Jerry Shannon
- Brandon Rusch ’17
- Lee Hon. ’25 and David Hon. ’25 Russell
- Dee Sanders
- Laura Sandstedt ’01
- Bryan ’09 and Susan Sappington
- Dawn Schaperclaus ’16
- Lindsay ’05 and Andrew Scheib
- Allen Schelp
- Carrie Schlimme
- Dusti Schnedler
- Jolene ’61 and Bill Schulz
- Kirsten Scott ’24
- Bill ’09 and Rachelle Seibert
- Lawrence ’96 and Janice Sepulveda
- Lance Shaner
- Renee Shaner
- Kelly ’05 and Vance Sharp
- Kristen Shaw
- Monica Shaw ’16
- Candice Shea ’24
- Shelter Insurance
- Whitney A. Shinn
- Kristy Silver
- Shannon Silvey
- Dale ’65 and James Simons
- Lee Skinner
- Janette Slick ’23
- Paige Smith
- Patrick ’10 and Kaylie Smith
- Tasha Smith ’13
- Terry Hon. ’23 and Jane Smith
- Than Som ’05 and James Carr
- Andrew Sosnowski
- Wendy Spratt ’90
- Jeffery ’15 and Miranda Spurr
- Stafford Family Charitable Trust
- Gary ’12 and Denise Stanowski
- Stephanie ’16 and Jamie Stansell
- Jill ’13 and Chris Staples
- Sharon Starr ’17
- Courtney ’11 and Sam Steelman
- Lorri Steffen ’15
- Alaina Stegeman ’24
- Virginia ’85 and John ’83 Steiger
- Fawn Stephenson ’81
- Angela Storvick
- J Robert Streit ’15
- Ashley Stull ’12
- Lisa ’05 and Patrick Sweeney
- Karen ’93 and Kent Taylor
- Molly Taylor
- Leo Tevlin ’76
- Sadie Thibodeaux
- Marcus Thornton
- Suzanne Tourville and Loukas Grafakos
- Diana ’74 and Edward ’77 Turner
- Regan Ubiñas and George Ubiñas
- Lauren and Corbin Umstattd ’12
- Jason Valentine ’09
- Julia Valera
- Michael Van Duser ’01
- Kara Vedum ’06
- Veterans United Foundation
- Rico Vidal ’16
- Myah Vincent
- Abigail Wade
- Paula and Brian Wager
- Justin ’99 and Samantha Wagner
- Rob ’87 and Gail Walker
- Sam Warfel
- Heidi E. Wehmer
- Cody Weichelt ’23
- Janice ’86 and Barry ’84 Whiteside
- Raegan Wieser ’19
- Christina ’12 and Robert Wiggin
- Neal Wilkinson ’90
- Carla and Matt Williams
- Coleen Williams ’09
- Lindsey Williams ’08
- Roy Williams ’11
- Sandijuen Williams ’98
- Amy Willis
- Joel ’11 and Elizabeth Wilson
- Phillip Wilson ’19
- Quinton Wilson ’15
- Steven Wilson
- Stephanie Woods
- Britta Wright ’07
- Larry ’76 and Candy ’73 Young
- Jason Youngquist
- Lindsay Zeiter
- Thomas Zimmerman
