Museum of Osteopathic Medicine surpasses $1 million in gifts, celebrates donors
Posted: October 30, 2024
A.T. Still University (ATSU) celebrated the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine surpassing its $1 million fundraising goal with a special donor recognition ceremony on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, during the University’s annual Founder’s Day events on the Kirksville, Missouri, campus. Dozens of members of the ATSU community attended the event, including the ATSU Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students, and administration.
ATSU Chief Advancement Officer Robert Behnen, MBA, welcomed and introduced guests, and Chancellor Craig M. Phelps, DO, ’84, delivered opening remarks and thanked those in attendance. As Dr. Phelps spoke to the audience, he recalled two years ago when the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine celebrated its accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums. It was at that celebration, alumni and friends were encouraged to support the museum through charitable gifts. Since that time, the museum has received generous contributions from 122 donors.
“Our alumni, our friends, and others have donated over $1 million dollars to help the museum be sustainable,” Dr. Phelps said. “Having sustainability means we can do more for the community, we can bring more people to this area. They can learn about the history of osteopathy, and they come from around the world.”
One of the event highlights included recognition of Lloyd Cleaver, DO, ’76, and his family for their six-figure donation to establish the Cleaver Family Endowment for the museum. In honor of the family’s generosity, the museum’s main gallery foyer was officially named the Cleaver Family Foyer.
“Funding this endowment is a decision we made out of gratitude for the medical career I have been privileged to pursue and the osteopathic education I received at ATSU-KCOM, the founding school of osteopathic medicine and home to the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine,” said Dr. Cleaver, who was joined by his family at the ceremony. “It is a privilege I share with my sons, David Cleaver, DO, ’06; Jonathan Cleaver, DO, ’08; and Nathan Cleaver, DO, ’10, who also chose to pursue this noble profession and attain their osteopathic medical education at ATSU.”
Additionally, Dr. Lloyd Cleaver was thanked for sharing his story of charitable giving through a museum fundraising appeal. That appeal sparked a wave of generosity from additional donors and raised more than $36,000 for the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine.
Following the Cleaver family’s recognition, Chris Paynter, DO, president of the Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (MAOPS) Board of Trustees, announced a $100,000 gift commitment from the organization, which will establish the MAOPS Gallery Hall. The establishment of the hall will expand the museum’s exhibition space leading from Heritage Hall to the newly created Synapse Lounge.
In addition to honoring the Cleaver family and MAOPS, John Drabing, DO, ’61, was recognized for contributing the final gift of nearly $50,000 to push the campaign past its $1 million fundraising goal. Dr. Drabing was not able to attend the ceremony, but his support was noticed by all in attendance as the event culminated with a drumroll and balloon drop.
Following the ceremony, attendees gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Cleaver Family Foyer and a reception in the museum’s main gallery.
Throughout the course of the campaign, charitable donations have included gifts of all sizes. Some of those gifts included Elsie Gaber, PhD, and Rob Gaber, DHL, naming Elsie’s Medicinal Garden, which was recognized as part of the accreditation celebration at Founder’s Day 2022. More recently, Sydney P. Ross, DO, ’59, designated funds to establish the Fred and Julia Ross, RN, Endowment for the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine and to name one of the window exhibit spaces in Heritage Hall. The endowment and naming of the window exhibit space are in memory of his parents.
All the names mentioned above are listed on the Wall of Honor at the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine. Spaces on the wall are still available to commemorate those who have represented and supported osteopathic medicine. To recognize a person or organization special to you, please contact Brad Chambers, director of development, at bradchambers@atsu.edu or 660.626.2180, or visit giving.atsu.edu/honor-wall to donate online.