Family pledges fourth-largest gift ever to UMKC

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - A former executive vice president for Wal-Mart has pledged to give what would amount to the fourth-largest gift ever to the University of Missouri – Kansas City.

In a release, the university announced that Thomas D. Hyde and Vina W. Hyde have pledged $6 million to the school. The funds would be unrestricted and be able to be used for the most compelling needs at the university.

Tom Hyde graduated from the UMKC Law School in 1975 before embarking on a corporate career with Wal-Mart Stores., Inc. and Raytheon Company. He was honored in 2004 as a UMKC Alumni Awards recipient.

"Vina and I hope this gift will help ensure that Chancellor Morton and future chancellors are able to implement and fund projects that they deem to be vital to the continuing success of UMKC," Tom Hyde said in a release.

The gift is helping to kick-start the university’s $250 million capital campaign, launched this week.

"I am overwhelmed by the receipt of this gift specifically designated for the Chancellor's Fund for Excellence," UMKC Chancellor Morton said. "We are grateful for the generosity and vision of people like Tom and Vina Hyde who are helping UMKC achieve its fullest potential."