UCM Surpasses $60 Million Dreams Unite Goal as Board Reviews Fall Enrollment, Aviation Investment

The UCM Board of Governors recognized more than a dozen retiring faculty and staff members with emeritus status during the August meeting.

 

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) has surpassed the $60 million goal for its historic comprehensive fundraising campaign, university leaders reported to the UCM Board of Governors during its Aug. 21 meeting on the Warrensburg campus.

The reported the campaign has generated $63.5 million, reaching 106% of its comprehensive goal. The campaign, the first of its kind in UCM history, entered the public phase in May.

 

Although the overall campaign target has been exceeded, fundraising continues for several individual campaign priorities. Among them, approximately $18 million has been raised toward a $21 million goal for new endowments, while the university has raised nearly $4 million toward a $5 million fundraising goal for the planned UCM Welcome Center.

The Foundation team also reported a strong fiscal 2026. More than $8 million in gifts were received during the year, exceeding the $6.25 million goal by approximately 28%. Total fundraising production, which includes gifts, outstanding pledge balances and planned gifts, exceeded $34 million.

 

Stephen Abney, a member of the Board of Governors since 2018, presided over his first meeting as board president. He noted the sense of excitement on campus as new and returning students began another academic year at UCM. Abney also expressed gratitude to outgoing board president John Collier for his service and leadership over the last two years. Collier, who joined in 2013, will remain a member of the board.

 

From left, UCM President Roger Best, Board of Governors member John Collier and Board of Governors President Stephen Abney.

 

During his university update, UCM President Roger Best discussed ongoing work surrounding the potential development of a new state funding formula for Missouri public higher education institutions. Best said university presidents are scheduled to meet with the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development as discussions continue ahead of a December deadline for recommendations to state officials.

 

The board also received an early look at Fall 2026 enrollment, with university officials reporting positive indicators among new undergraduate students.

As of the first day of classes, new first-time freshman enrollment was approximately 5% higher than at the same point last year, while new transfer enrollment was approximately 2.5% higher. If the freshman trend holds through the fall census, it would mark the second consecutive year of growth in the incoming freshman class.

UCM also reported improvement in its transfer-student conversion rate, with nearly 70% of admitted transfer students enrolling, compared with approximately 63% at the same point last year.

 

University officials emphasized that the figures represent a first-day snapshot rather than the university's official fall census. Additional enrollment is expected during the coming weeks, particularly as high school students enroll in dual-credit courses. UCM's official four-week census figures will provide a more complete picture of Fall 2026 enrollment.

In other business, the board considered the university's continuing investment in its aviation training fleet. The board authorized UCM to commit up to $765,000 for the purchase of a new single-engine Cessna 172S training aircraft. The purchase is part of a long-term fleet replacement program approved by the Board of Governors in 2022 and will be funded through Flight Operations funds generated by student flight fees.

The aircraft would be the fifth new Cessna ordered through the fleet replacement initiative. Four aircraft are currently on order, with the first expected to arrive during the fourth quarter of 2026 and three additional aircraft anticipated during the third quarter of 2027.

UCM officials told the board that placing the latest order now also gives the university an opportunity to save approximately $48,000 if an opening becomes available in the manufacturer's production schedule.

The Professional Pilot program serves more than 300 students, and UCM's training aircraft are used extensively daily. Replacing older aircraft is intended to improve availability for flight instruction while reducing maintenance-related downtime.

The board also received an update on , which reported another year of strong competitive performance and significant economic activity generated by university sporting events.

UCM finished 14th nationally in the Learfield Directors' Cup standings among NCAA Division II institutions, marking the 20th consecutive year the university has finished among the nation's top 30 Division II athletic programs.

An economic impact study conducted in partnership with the Warrensburg Convention and Visitors Bureau and UCM's Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies estimated that approximately 120 UCM athletic events, attracting about 107,000 spectators, generated $6.25 million in economic impact for the Warrensburg community and supported nearly 69 full-time jobs.

The Board of Governors also approved its meeting schedule for calendar year 2027 and recognized 14 retiring faculty and staff members with emeritus status:

• Kristie Brinkley — Assistant Director of Student Activities, Volunteer Services — 2000-2026

• Eric Honour — Chair of the School of Visual and Performing Arts and Professor of Music Technology and Composition — 2000-2026

• Michael Bersin — Professor of Music — 1990-2026

• Curtis Bradford — Professor of Construction Management — 2011-2026

• Debbie Cunconan — Senior Instructor of English — 2001-2026

• Lana Hopping — Assistant Instructor of Special Education — 2016-2026

• David Kreiner — Professor of Psychological Science — 1990-2026

• Joyce Lawson — Senior Strategic Human Resources Partner and Benefits Specialist — 2002-2026

• Monty Laycox — Assistant Instructor of Physics — 2006-2026

• James Staab — Professor of Political Science — 1998-2026

• Kimberly Stark — Professor of Psychological Science — 1997-2026

• Gregory Turner — Professor of Communication Disorders — 1995-2026

• Mark von Schlemmer — Professor of Communication and Digital Media — 2010-2026

• Matthew Zupnick — Professor of Art, Design, and Photography — 1997-2026