Steve Williams, who graduated from SMSU with a marketing degree in 1974, passed away at the age of 70 on March 14, 2018. He left nearly a million dollars to Southwest Minnesota State
University Foundation in his will.

In a press release issued by the SMSU Foundation, Williams’ brother described him as being a “frugal and wise investor.”

The SMSU Foundation was not the only place Williams donated to as he has also left “$2.8 million to the Montevideo Veterans Home and $991,000 to the Muscular Dystrophy Association Minnesota/Dakotas Division,” according to the West Central Tribune. This donation to the Foundation is similar to the $2 million gift given to SMSU by Pat McFarland’s estate. It was the largest single gift received from an individual.

The Foundation receives several millions of dollars in support each year, but every donation is important no matter the size, according to Bill Mulso, the executive vice president of the Foundation and the university’s vice president for advancement.

“When we receive gifts of this nature, they are most often invested so that the earnings can be given out in scholarships or grants every year and the gift can have an impact for years to come,”
said Mulso. “The amount of scholarships that can be awarded will be determined annually once the funds have been invested for one year.”