Jay and Jill Craig commit $26.25M to advance student success at MSU

Michigan State University today announced a transformative $26.25 million commitment from alumni Jay and Jill Craig to strengthen student success across the Eli Broad College of Business and the College of Social Science, delivering immediate impact while ensuring long-term flexibility to meet the needs of future Spartans.

Jill (left) and Jay Craig. Courtesy: MSU Advancement.

If their college-aged selves could see where they would be today, Jay and Jill Craig might not have believed it. The Spartan alumni, who met on a blind double date as students in January of 1980, never imagined the lasting mark they would one day leave on the university that shaped their lives.

The Craigs’ commitment is intentionally structured to support students both now and for generations to come. A portion of the gift provides current-use funding through an expendable fund in the Broad College, delivering immediate resources to expand hands-on learning opportunities, enhance student support services and strengthen high-impact academic programs.

The remainder of the commitment will establish two endowed funds: the Jay and Jill Craig Broad College Student Success Fund and the Jay and Jill Craig College of Social Science Student Success Fund. Together, these endowments will provide flexible, long-term support for emerging priorities, innovative programming, experiential learning opportunities, and other transformational student experiences across both colleges.

“The generosity of this forward-looking commitment from Jay and Jill Craig positions our colleges to continue to equip Spartans with the skills necessary for future careers, offering access to the latest experiences and programming that will be critical for jobs across the state,” said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. “It’s a gift designed not just for today’s needs, but for tomorrow’s possibilities, ensuring that the colleges of Business and Social Science will have the resources to adapt, innovate and prepare students for whatever the future holds.”

“We are deeply grateful to Jay and Jill Craig for their extraordinary generosity and partnership,” said Vice President for University Advancement Kim Tobin. “This commitment reflects a shared belief in the power of education to change lives. By investing in flexible student success funds, the Craigs are empowering MSU to respond to evolving needs and create opportunities that will make a lasting difference for generations of Spartans.”

Spartan alumni who met as students in January 1980, the Craigs credit their MSU experience with shaping their personal and professional paths. Their philanthropy reflects a shared belief in the power of education to transform lives and expand opportunity.

“Things will continue to change in higher education and in the world our students are entering,” said Jay Craig. “We wanted to make a gift that allows leaders closest to the students to respond to what is emerging and use these resources where they will have the greatest impact.”

Jill Craig added, “Not every student has the same level of opportunity or support. Helping remove barriers and open doors, especially at a place as diverse and accessible as Michigan State, is incredibly important to us.”

The Craigs’ commitment advances Michigan State’s Uncommon Will, Far Better World campaign, a $4 billion effort focused on student success, research excellence and the university’s impact across Michigan and beyond.

This story originally appeared in MSUToday.