Dreams Unite Priorities

Welcome Center ($5 million)

This will be the “front door” to our Warrensburg campus — the first impression we make on the thousands of prospective students, families and guests who visit each year. When surveyed, students, staff and faculty could not identify an official building that welcomes newcomers to the University of Central Missouri. We aim to change that.

The new 25,200-square-foot Welcome Center will stand proudly along our main traffic corridor, Maguire Street (Highway 13), creating an inviting entry point as well as a state-of-the-art venue for community gatherings and VIP receptions after performances in nearby Hendricks Hall or Hart Recital Hall.

In addition to the university’s investment, $5 million is needed to make this long-held dream a reality. We are looking to donors like you who recognize the value of dramatically elevating the student and community experience, as well as the overall perception of our great institution.

“The Welcome Center will be more than just a physical space; it will be a symbol of our commitment to student success. It will embody our values of accessibility and hospitality, ensuring that every individual who sets foot on our campus feels welcomed, valued and supported.”
— Roger J. Best, University of Central Missouri President

Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center ($2 million)

At UCM, we recognize that learning takes place both inside and outside the classroom — on tracks, mats, courts and fields and in the offices of our outstanding coaching staff. A key priority of Dreams Unite is completing much-needed renovations to these spaces in the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center.

Originally known as the Multipurpose Building, this facility was built 50 years ago, in 1976. UCM Athletics has embarked on a master plan to create a supportive infrastructure where student-athletes can forge bonds, hone their skills and embrace their potential as champions.

What is needed now is $1.5 million in contributions from fans like you to construct a Mules Wrestling locker room and lounge adjacent to the Roger Denker Wrestling Facility, established in 2022. With your support, we can also raise the $500,000 needed to transform the Jennies Volleyball locker room and adjacent coaches’ offices to serve as a strategic area for pregame discussions and postgame debriefs. These improvements will not only enhance the daily experience of our current student-athletes but also play a pivotal role in recruitment efforts, attracting top talent and inspiring pride in our community.

“A modern, well-equipped facility sends a strong message about our commitment to excellence and support for our student-athletes and coaches, positioning UCM as a premier NCAA D-II athletics department.”
— Matt Howdeshell, UCM Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics

TR Gaines ($3 million)

The Thomas R. Gaines Technology Building, commonly known as TR Gaines, houses classroom, lab and office space for programs like Safety Sciences, Construction Management and Engineering Technology. These areas of study are vital to UCM’s designation as Missouri’s baccalaureate and master’s degree-granting institution in professional applied science and technology.

Students with career dreams of drafting and design, working in construction or ensuring workplace safety will benefit from having a state-of-the-art facility where they can learn these skills in safe environments. The Department of Aviation recently completed a major project turning a traditional classroom space in TR Gaines into the Horine Virtual Reality Flight Simulation Lab. The Dreams Unite campaign is asking for donor support of much-needed renovations to existing learning spaces in the rest of this aging building to benefit students in all degree programs housed there.