The gift of $401 million to MSU from Greg and Dawn Williams includes $1.5 million in new scholarships for Spartan Marching Band members.
For over 150 years, bands at Michigan State University have powered campus pride through sound and spirit. Today, the College of Music is thrilled that the incredible, transformational gift recently announced from Greg and Dawn Williams includes $1.5 million for scholarships for members of the Spartan Marching Band and athletic bands.
“Greg and Dawn’s support for the Spartan Marching Band reflects a profound belief in the power of music and its ability to engage and energize Spartan Nation in support of our long and strong tradition of athletics,” said College of Music Dean Jim Forger. “Scholarships are a meaningful way to support the talent and dedication of students who bring musical skill and vigor to the game day experience and in many other venues. We are so grateful for Greg and Dawn and the lasting impact of their generosity that will echo far beyond the field.”
Their generosity fuels the students who energize every game day and bring Spartans together with unmatched energy, precision, and musicianship. The historic $401 million commitment from the Williamses, made through the university’s “Uncommon Will, Far Better World” campaign and in support of MSU Athletics’ FOR SPARTA initiative, is the largest single commitment in the history of MSU and one of the largest single amounts in college athletics history.
For the College of Music, the gift is part of its “Uncommon Will, Far Better World” campaign goal of $160 million, $30 million of which is aimed at scholarships and fellowships. With an increase in scholarships and fellowships, the College will eliminate financial barriers and aggressively recruit and retain the world’s finest performers, strengthening our nationally competitive programs and attracting extraordinary artists from around the globe to MSU.
“Throughout the College of Music, there are students who are putting in a tremendous number of hours every day practicing, rehearsing, and managing their course loads,” said Professor of Music and Director of Bands Kevin Sedatole. “To know that the Williams Family understands the value of our bands and the students that dedicate themselves to them is really terrific to see.”
Overall, the impact of the gift from the Williams family will dramatically transform Spartan Athletics and fuel academic excellence across multiple disciplines in addition to the Spartan Marching Band.
MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. led the celebrations on Friday, December 5, announcing the incredible commitment from Greg and Dawn Williams that he said “reflects a bold, shared vision for excellence and innovation.”
“The commitment that Greg and Dawn are making represents an extraordinary act of generosity and belief in Michigan State University’s future,” said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. “We are deeply grateful for this historic commitment, which will strengthen our academic mission and support our student-athletes in meaningful, lasting ways. Their investment in both the university and the future of Spartan Athletics reflects a bold, shared vision for excellence and innovation. This moment will have a profound impact on generations of Spartans, and we are honored by their confidence in MSU.”
Of the total commitment, $290 million will be used in support of Spartan Athletics to accelerate MSU’s ability to compete nationally and build a sustainable foundation for long-term success, while putting college athletics on notice that Michigan State has the resources to be an industry leader. Already a national leader among marching bands in the nation, those who lead the Spartan Marching Band understand the meaning a gift such as this carries for students in the ensemble.
“Every day that I work with the students in the Spartan Marching Band, I am awed by their dedication and love for what they do,” said Spartan Marching Band Director and Associate Director of Bands David Thornton. “They work incredibly hard in practice and on game days, and they believe in the value of what we bring to our community. I am grateful for this generous gift to help them as they pursue their passions.”
For over 150 years, bands at Michigan State University have powered campus pride through sound and spirit. Thanks to Greg and Dawn Williams, a new fund of $1.5 million will support band members through scholarships.
Other areas beyond the Spartan Marching Band receiving support from the Williamses include the MSU Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the Risk Management and Financial Insurance Program in the Eli Broad College of Business, and the Sparty Mascot Program.
The Williamses have a well-established history of philanthropy to Michigan State University and Spartan Athletics. As inaugural co-chairs of MSU’s $4 billion “Uncommon Will, Far Better World” campaign, they have helped shape the university’s strategic direction and inspired a new era of giving. In addition to this new $401 million commitment, they already have contributed over $25 million toward other MSU initiatives.
Beyond MSU, the Williamses have made a profound mark on West Michigan and national civic life. As co-founder, chairman and CEO of Acrisure, Greg Williams was instrumental in Acrisure’s $30 million pledge to name and anchor the Acrisure Amphitheater, a 12,000-seat venue revitalizing the Grand Rapids riverfront. Acrisure’s donations also include $15 million for the Acrisure Center for Innovation in Children’s Health at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and $7.5 million for the Heart Institute at the UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Learn more about the College of Music’s “Uncommon Will, Far Better World” campaign goals and how you can help to address the most pressing challenges facing the music industry today while increasing our capacity to create lasting positive change and to support student and faculty success.
Learn more about the priorities of the university-wide “Uncommon Will, Far Better World” campaign and how philanthropic partnerships are shaping MSU’s future.
Learn more about Spartan Athletics FOR SPARTA capital initiative in the original article shared on MSU Today.
