Photo:Nick King ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
EAST LANSING ~ Michigan State University marked a truly historic day at the Breslin Center as President Kevin Guskiewicz announced the largest private gift in the university’s history, a staggering $401 million commitment from Greg and Dawn Williams. Greg Williams, the CEO and co-founder of Acrisure, emphasized that this decision was deeply personal, rooted in their belief that leadership means getting involved and creating impact where it matters most. “We live here. This is our community,” Williams said, explaining why he and Dawn chose to make such a transformative investment in MSU despite never attending the university themselves.
The gift will be transformative for both athletics and academics. Of the total amount, $390 million will fuel MSU’s bold “For Sparta” athletics initiative, a billion-dollar vision to elevate facilities, enhance student-athlete experiences, and position Michigan State among the top 10 athletic departments nationally. Within that, $100 million is earmarked for Spartan Ventures, a strategic investment portfolio designed to modernize and scale MSU athletics in an era of rapid change. This commitment ensures that Spartan student-athletes will have the resources and competitive advantages needed to thrive for decades to come.
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(CONTINUED) Beyond athletics, $11 million will support academic programs, including the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, empowering future innovators and business leaders, and the newly established Risk Management and Insurance Institute within the Broad College of Business, a nod to Michigan’s strong insurance industry and the need for specialized education in this field. Additionally, the gift includes support for the Spartan Marching Band and the iconic Sparty mascot program, both of which Dawn Williams described as “non-negotiable” priorities for their family because of the energy and tradition they bring to campus life.
This unprecedented act of philanthropy is more than a financial contribution; it’s a vote of confidence in Michigan State’s future. As Coach Tom Izzo shared during the event, “You inspire me, and that’s a pretty significant statement.” The Williams family’s commitment will ripple across generations, shaping championship dreams, academic excellence, and community pride. In Greg’s words, the reason is simple: “When a place and its people elevate you, inspire you, and become a source of pride and connectivity, you don’t sit on the sidelines. You get involved.”
