With doctorate degrees in communication and long, distinguished careers in higher education, Bob and Laurel Vartabedian are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of university students. That dedication has led them to make a personal financial commitment of more than $100,000 to Missouri Western State University, where Bob serves as president. With the gift, the Vartabedians establish a new donor recognition program called the President’s Centennial Circle.

“I really believe in this university and in this community, and Laurel and I wanted to show that in a tangible way,” President Vartabedian said. “As I have said many times, some universities enhance the lives of their students. I truly believe that Missouri Western transforms the lives of its students. All you have to do is attend one of our commencement ceremonies, and you can see that emotional transformation on the faces of our students as they walk across the stage.”

The Missouri Western State University Foundation is preparing for a capital campaign, to be conducted in conjunction with Missouri Western’s centennial celebration in 2015. The Vartabedians’ gift helps jump-start the planning efforts for that campaign, said Jerry Pickman, vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the Foundation.

“Donors want to know that the people seeking their financial support are themselves deeply committed to the cause,” Pickman said. “This gift by the Vartabedians is a strong demonstration of that commitment.”

The Vartabedians have pledged a total of $144,000 to the future campaign. Most of the gift is undesignated at this point, but a small portion is supporting the revival of a speech and debate team at Missouri Western.

The Vartabedians’ gift also inaugurates a new donor recognition program, the President’s Centennial Circle, which will recognize donors with a lifetime history of giving $100,000 or more to the University.

“As we prepare to solicit leadership gifts for this capital campaign, I cannot ask others to do something that I am not willing to do,” President Vartabedian said. “I have always liked to believe that our dream is a moralistic one and not a materialistic one. That is, Laurel and I want to make a difference – and Missouri Western is the culmination of our lives’ work.”

“This university and community mean a great deal to us, and we wanted to lead the charge on this once-in-a-hundred-years campaign,” Laurel added.

Dr. Bob Vartabedian became president of Missouri Western State University in July 2008. Under his leadership, Missouri Western has completed four major construction projects totaling more than $65 million, become the summer training camp home of the Kansas City Chiefs, formed a unique entrepreneurial education partnership with Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, and most recently dedicated a permanent memorial to legendary journalist and St. Joseph-born Walter Cronkite. Enrollment has grown 10 percent since Dr. Vartabedian became president.

Dr. Laurel Vartabedian is a lifelong educator. She has been a tireless supporter for the arts at Missouri Western, including helping to found both the annual “Lights and Tights” Renaissance Feast fundraiser and the Missouri Western Arts Society. She co-wrote two musicals that have been produced in New York City. “American Story” won the “Best of Festival” award at the Midtown International Theatre Festival in 2000. “Mother Divine” was one of just ten shows selected for the New York Musical Theatre Festival’s Next Link Project in 2013, will be produced in St. Joseph this summer, and is being considered for future professional productions in California and Texas.