University of Missouri announces record in giving

University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo.
University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- Officials at the University of Missouri's Columbia campus say record giving is evidence that the school has regained its footing, four years after the turmoil that followed student protests over claims of a racist campus culture.

The Kansas City Star reported Wednesday that the university reached $200 million in gifts for the current academic year, up from the previous one-year record of $170 million set in 2016. The figure includes pledges for future funds.

The fundraising increases the "Mizzou: Our Time to Lead" campaign to more than $1.2 billion. University officials had previously said they hoped to reach the $1.3 billion goal by 2020.

The new money will go toward such things as strengthening endowment, creating signature centers and institutes; supporting research with better facilities and developing student success initiatives.