A Legacy 30 Years in the Making

If there has been one constant in University Advancement over the past 30 years, it has been Dan Chegwidden. He is the pioneer of what MSU knows today as the Office of Gift Planning, having served as the senior director for its entirety. As the Empower Extraordinary campaign came to a close in December 2018, so did Dan's committed and accomplished career at MSU.

For as thankful as the university is for his years of service, the College of Education is also proud to be the home of the Dan and Janet Chegwidden Endowed Scholarship Fund that was established in 2012. The College of Education continues to thrive as one of the crown jewels of MSU with a No. 1 ranking in elementary education, primary education, and higher education administration graduate programs.

"The gift is in honor of Janet's career as an educator—any success I've had is because of her," Dan says. These kind words by Dan are a testament to his wife, Janet, on how much her years as a teacher in secondary education and academic advisor mean to him. Their charitable bequest will provide scholarships for undergraduate students in the College of Education.

"It's a mentality," says Dan when asked about how his fundraising work has translated into his community involvement. Apart from contributing to MSU, Dan and Janet stay involved as volunteers at the Capital Area Humane Society and their local church.

Complexity, collaboration, and giving options have been the greatest changes that Dan has seen at the Office of Gift Planning since his arrival in June 1990 from Park College located in Kansas City, Missouri. Building relationships is a pillar of fundraising work for Dan and he has made some lifelong friends. "They're my kind of people, I've always related to MSU alums and felt comfortable working with them." Along with the personal relationships that have been built, Dan has implemented a marketing strategy throughout his time that continues to grow with the Office of Gift Planning.

Throughout Dan's career, he has raised $381 million for MSU. One can only imagine the impact these gifts have made. However, Dan views his greatest accomplishment as creating an office that has integrity and is respected throughout University Advancement. Over time, the Office of Gift Planning has transformed into an invaluable and trusted resource for all MSU colleges and programs.

As retirement begins, a time of reflection ensues. "I will miss the gift planning folks the most... They've always, over the years, been the people I've been closest to and trusted the most. I always tried to give back to them."

As a strong leader with a sense of humor, Dan will always be remembered by his team as someone who had their backs—a quality appreciated by all MSU employees. Another signature mark of Dan in the workplace has been his work ethic and ability to make those around him laugh, a quality that was instilled in him from his former boss at St. Mary of the Plains College, Dr. Larry Kramer. "Humor and consistent work ethic are absolutely necessary and useful, keep it focused but light."

The common question asked to those approaching retirement is, "Have any special plans?" Dan's plan is quite simple: He looks to spend more time with loved ones and further his involvement with the Capital Area Humane Society as a volunteer.

The absence of Dan in the workplace will be felt throughout University Advancement, but the Office of Gift Planning can only wish him the very best in retirement and a promise to continue the innovative work he began 30 years ago.

Thank you for everything, Dan!

Create Your Legacy at MSU

You, like Dan and Janet, can make a difference for MSU students for generations to come. To learn more, contact MSU Office of Gift Planning at 800-232-4678 | 517-884-1000 or giftplan@msu.edu.