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Articles about Major Gifts from Alumni and Friends

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Milton Muelder Makes $100,000 Gift to College of Music Facilities Fund

Dr. Milton Muelder of East Lansing, Michigan, has made a $100,000 commitment to the College of Music Facilities Fund. Muelder enriched the university community as educator, researcher, and administrator for more than 40 years. In December 2003, he received an honorary doctor of humanities degree from MSU in recognition of his exceptional personal and professional achievements.

“A new building is a real necessity for the College of Music in order for it to realize its potential,” Muelder says. “Over the years I’ve attended a large number of the school’s concerts and have seen how Jim Forger has built a fantastic program. Now the school’s performers just need to be heard by as many people as possible in order to make the impact and contribution of which they are capable.”

“Dr. Muelder is a Renaissance man and visionary, who has had a significant impact on many diverse areas of Michigan State University,” said James Forger, director of the MSU College of Music. “We are grateful for his generous support of the proposed music building, which will have a transformative effect on our program.”

As a professor, Muelder taught European history, political science, and public administration. He served as chairperson of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, as well as dean of the School of Science and Arts, dean of the Graduate School, vice president for research development, acting dean of international programs, executive director of the MSU Foundation, and acting vice president for student affairs, among other positions. He helped MSU develop a formal relationship with the University of Ryukyus in Okinawa, which was the start of his involvement in international studies. He later oversaw MSU programs in Vietnam, Colombia, and Brazil, and helped create the Office of International Programs, the first office of its kind at any American university. As vice president for research development, Muelder led efforts to build the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory and develop both the Kellogg Biological Station and the Institute of Water Research. As head of the MSU Foundation, he initiated plans for all patent and royalty income to be managed by the foundation. In retirement, Muelder has provided more than $1 million to MSU, including substantial gifts to the Wharton Center for the Performing Arts, College of Arts & Letters, Kresge Art Museum, and College of Music. In 1996, he and his late wife, Kathleen, established The Muelder International Summer Carillon Recital Series. Muelder, who has two graduate degrees from the University of Michigan, was named an honorary Spartan in 1968.