Linda Girard, who dedicated 36 years of her career to Northwest Missouri State University, continues to support the University in other ways since her retirement in 2010.

Most recently, she pledged $50,000 toward the Carl and Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse to show her appreciation for her years as a Northwest employee. A passionate supporter of Bearcat athletics teams, Girard also is an active member of the Bearcat Booster Club.

“I wanted to give back to the University because I worked there 36 years, including 28 as registrar,” she said. “It’s a way to give back to the University and express the fact that I’m a Bearcat follower.”

The 137,250 square-foot Hughes Fieldhouse opened on the Northwest campus in October and serves a multitude of social, recreational and economic needs for the University and region.

It is the single largest public-private partnership in the University’s 113‐year history and one of the largest such projects in the region ever. Donors committed nearly $14 million to the project through donations and pledges secured by the Northwest Foundation.

The University and its students contributed to the project along with hundreds of alumni and friends who made gifts of all sizes. Leading support for the project, however, was provided by the Founding 50 – a group of donors contributing $50,000 or more to the project. Girard’s gift to the Hughes Fieldhouse makes her the 75th member of the Founding 50.

“In so many ways, Linda has helped Northwest shine bright through the years,” Dr. Lonelle Rathje, vice president of external relations and executive director of Northwest Foundation Inc., said. “Her support of the Hughes Fieldhouse is yet another example of her commitment to the students and the University. We are deeply thankful for her generosity.”

Girard began her employment at Northwest in 1974, and became the University’s registrar in 1982. By the time she retired in the spring of 2010, she had verified an estimated 35,500 graduates.

A Maryville native, she attended Northwest and graduated in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in education in business. After graduation, she spent nine years in Chicago before returning to Missouri, joining the Northwest staff and earning a master’s degree in business administration in 1976.

“It’s a wonderful place to work,” she said. “I spent a lot of years there, and I wanted to contribute to its continued success.”

For more information about the Hughes Fieldhouse, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/HughesFieldhouse/. Follow Northwest Campus Recreation on Twitter at @NorthwestSRC for updated hours and information, or contact the campus recreation office at 660.562.1606.

To make a gift to support Northwest, contact the Office of University Advancement at 660.562.1248 or visit www.nwmissouri.edu/GiveOnline.