Despite year of turmoil, Mizzou announces record fundraising

(AP) — A $25 million gift in October helped push fundraising at the University of Missouri's flagship campus to a record high despite several months of turmoil stemming from the administration's response — or perceived lack thereof — to racial incidents.

Many were angry that an assistant professor, Melissa Click, was not immediately fired for a confrontation she had with a student photographer and videographer during the Nov. 9 protests.

A $25 million gift from the Houston-based Kinder Foundation in October, a month before tensions flared, helped kick off the public phase of the fundraising campaign.

The university also was caught in controversies involving Planned Parenthood, health insurance for graduate assistants and the temporary resignation of the medical school dean.