Missouri Western receives $1 million gift to support arts annex

Drew H. Brown Arts Annex conceptual illustration courtesy architectural firm Patterhn Ives.

The project to enhance Potter Hall at Missouri Western State University has received a $1 million gift.

The announcement of the gift was made during the Missouri Western Foundation’s annual Donor Appreciation Reception Tuesday.

According to a news release, the gift was from Drew H. Brown of St. Joseph to support the addition of a visual arts annex. When it’s constructed, the addition will be known as the Drew H. Brown Arts Annex.

“Drew Brown has been one of Missouri Western State University’s most active supporters for many years,” said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western’s president. “He has provided leadership to many areas of campus, giving generously of his time and wise counsel, and I am very grateful that he has added to his legacy with such a generous gift.”

Drew H. Brown. Photo courtesy Missouri Western State University.

Brown served a long and distinguished career in the U.S. Army, retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1992, and is currently a self-employed investment manager. He served on the Missouri Western State University Foundation Board of Directors and is currently chair of the Missouri Western Arts Society. He has also served as a mentor and volunteer through the University’s Center for Multicultural Education, mentoring students of color and providing guidance and encouragement to them in their pursuit of a college education. Last fall, he received the Herb ’35 and Peggy Iffert Award for Outstanding Service to the University from the Missouri Western Alumni Association.

“I love this university,” Brown said. “Missouri Western brings so much to the St. Joseph community, and I welcome that, whether it’s arts offerings, the expertise of its faculty or, most importantly, workforce development. We all want a better life, and most students come to Missouri Western because they see it as the key to that better life.”

According to the news release, Brown’s gift is part of Missouri Western’s Centennial Capital Campaign, launched in January 2015, the University’s centennial year. Brown’s gift brings the campaign total to $30,448,759 in outright and deferred pledges and gifts, exceeding the initial celebration goal of $20 million by more than 50 percent.

The Centennial Capital Campaign funded significant improvements to Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium and the Looney Arena, endowed a first-of-its-kind population health management degree program, and grew the Foundation’s endowment. The five-year campaign will end in January 2020.