James C. Kirkpatrick Library Rededication on Nov. 28 a Highlight to Giving Tuesday

 

Located on the  south side of the University of Central Missouri campus, the James C. Kirkpatrick Library is a valuable information and learning resource.

WARRENSBURG, MO  – Demonstrating the power of philanthropic support, the University of Central Missouri will celebrate Giving Tuesday on Nov. 28 with the rededication of the James C. Kirkpatrick Library (JCKL) at the facility’s first-floor Read and Relax area. The public is invited to attend the ceremony at noon to hear remarks by university leaders and check out state-of-the-art renovations that include modernized study and collaborative learning spaces, new study nooks, a wellness room, and soft furnishings made possible by the Koch Family Trust.

Giving Tuesday is a global day of philanthropy that enables members of MuleNation to come together in support of the Central Annual Fund to create new opportunities and support students’ greatest needs. While encouraging others to contribute financially to UCM, the library rededication will publicly showcase what donors’ generosity can mean for UCM and its students. Roger Best, UCM president; Courtney Goddard, vice president for advancement and executive director of the Alumni Foundation; and Janette Klein, university librarian, will conduct the rededication ceremony.

In June 2020, the Koch Family Trust provided a gift of $975,000 to UCM to support library operations. The trust was established by Oliver T. Koch and Mary G. Koch in 1990. Oliver graduated from Central Missouri State Teachers College in 1941 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. During their lifetime, the couple supported student scholarships and the Kirkpatrick Library Construction Fund.

Since its opening in 1999 the library has supported the academic needs of UCM students, faculty, staff, and community. The library has more than 200,000 square feet of floor space and more than 1.3 million physical and online books, documents, journals, and media resources. The library serves as a hub of scholarly conversation and research while featuring a variety of resources, including group and individual study rooms, a wellness room, computer lab with specialized software, research guides, and expert librarians who are dedicated to assisting individuals who utilize JCKL and its vast information resources while also delivering one-on-one research help and customized instructional support.

The library is named for university alumnus, James C. Kirkpatrick, a former newspaper editor and publisher who served for 20 years as Missouri Secretary of State and was a 12-year member of the university’s governing board.

While celebrating the library’s rededication, individuals are invited to consider opportunities to support the greatest needs of UCM students by making a gift to the Central Annual Fund on Giving Tuesday. Tyler Habiger, director of the Annual Fund at the UCM Alumni Foundation, said more than $50,000 in matching gifts have been committed so far to encourage individuals to contribute to new opportunities at the university that will benefit students. Individuals who donate a certain amount can receive limited-edition swag for their gifts.

Anyone who wants to support UCM on Giving Tuesday through their charitable contributions can do so by visiting ucmgives.org or by calling 660-543-8000.