Mansfield University Mountaineer Foundation Raises $3.2 Million in Inaugural Year

MANSFIELD, Pa. – In its inaugural year, the Mansfield University Mountaineer Foundation (MUMF) raised $3.2 million to support students, faculty, and programs at Commonwealth University–Mansfield.

The MU Mountaineer Foundation was formally recognized as an affiliated entity by the Commonwealth University Council of Trustees in 2024, establishing it as the sole, officially recognized foundation dedicated exclusively to supporting CU–Mansfield and its students.

“We are deeply grateful for the remarkable support from our alumni and friends, whose generosity has directly impacted current and future students through the Mansfield University Mountaineer Foundation,” said Gretchen Sechrist, Mansfield campus administrator and interim vice provost for undergraduate education at Commonwealth University. “Raising $3.2 million in our first year is a powerful testament to the strength of our partnership with the Foundation and our community’s shared commitment to building a strong and vibrant future together.”

Several major gifts marked the Foundation’s first year, including:

• $1 million from Roger Maisner for athletic scholarships
• $500,000 unrestricted estate gift from Dick Horton ’68
• $500,000 from Mark Doherty ’95 for athletic scholarships
• $300,000 estate gift from Edith Johnson ’50 to support music scholarships
• $200,000 estate gift from Bryan Lane ’88 for the alumni legacy scholarship
• $198,000 estate gift from Mary Frances Bushong ’86 for the Steve McEuen Low Brass Scholarship
• $50,000 from Robert Strohecker ’91 for health and science scholarships
• $30,000 from Rod Pursell ’88 for the Mansfield Stadium Campaign
• $27,000 for the Janice M. Kennedy/George W. Cass Scholarship – Americans to Study Abroad
• $26,000 from Tom ’71 and Janice ’72 Stephens for teacher education scholarships
• $25,000 from Kerry Elsasser ’92 ’98 and Amy Morel L’Horset ’96 for the Tom Elsasser Memorial Scholarship

In addition to major contributions, the Foundation has fostered strong grassroots support. During Mansfield’s third annual All In Day of Giving, more than 450 donors contributed over $80,000 in just 24 hours.

“We are incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together in our first year, and deeply thankful to the donors who made it possible,” said Kate Billmeyer, executive director of the Mansfield University Mountaineer Foundation. “The success of this past year is a clear signal that our alumni and supporters believe in the power and promise of Mansfield.”

MUMF is committed to transparency and collaboration with alumni and campus partners. Its offices are located on the ground floor of Alumni Hall on the Mansfield campus.

To learn more or get involved, visit mountaineerfdn.org.