More than 10 years ago, Campbell was introduced to Dr. Carol Morrow, an anthropology professor at Southeast Missouri State University. The two women quickly bonded over their shared love of archeology. 

Since then, Campbell decided to support the anthropology department by putting funds into an endowment. These funds would be used at the discretion of the department. In this way, students could benefit from the endowment in multiple educational capacities.  

Campbell, herself an international traveler, believes it is very important that all U.S. students should get out and see the world. 

So, one of the many things the department decided to do with the endowment was establish “Harryette Campbell Days,” a day trip set aside for unique educational opportunities for students while traveling abroad. 

“It is a privilege and pleasure to spend the funds in ways in which Harryette would approve,” says Dr. Morrow. “The endowment has helped fund international student trips all over the world.” 

These day trips have provided considerable opportunities for Southeast students. Her “travel scholarships” have been able to send Southeast students to Fiji, Romania, Costa Rica and Spain.

Every May, Dr. Warren Anderson, a professor in the anthropology department, takes approximately 12 Southeast students to Costa Rica. And every October, approximately eight Costa Rican students and two faculty members come to the Southeast campus for 10 days. This is all a part of a University exchange program established approximately five years ago. 

All of the students involved in the University exchange program are able to benefit from Campbell’s generous contributions.

“The neat thing about this fund is that many people benefit from Campbell’s generosity,” says Dr. Anderson. “She is graciously making opportunities available to both us and international students.”

When Southeast students go to Costa Rica, they are in classes most of the time meeting with local university students. However, on “Harryette Campbell Days,” students are able to see and experience a different part of Costa Rica. One such place was the group’s trip to Cahuita, a national maritime preserve in Costa Rica.

“The opportunity to go to Cahuita showed me a different side to Costa Rica that I had not seen. This Caribbean port city gives an intimate glimpse into the lifestyle of coastal Costa Rican citizens, which can seem very different from the major cities or the smaller, more rural inland cities,” says Southeast student Jeremy Bourland. “I absolutely enjoyed every aspect of Costa Rica, but I would have to say that Cahuita was definitely one of the major highlights. If we would not have gone, I would have simply missed out on a culturally rich experience.”

Campbell’s contributions have even extended across other programs within the  department. 

Every May, foreign language professor Margarita Merget takes approximately 15 students to Spain. One of the students’ favorite places to visit in Spain is an ancient excavation site in Tarragona.

“The students love going to the excavation site. It is rich in Greek and Roman history,” says Professor Merget. “It is a day trip that is approximately an hour from Barcelona.”

Last year, because of the deteriorating value of the Euro, the trip’s budget was strapped for funds. 

“The cost of traveling to the excavation site would be higher than normal, and I certainly didn’t want to increase the cost of the trip at the expense of the students,” said Merget. 

Dr. Morrow approached Merget and suggested that Merget spend a “Harryette Campbell Day” in Tarragona. Merget was thrilled because without the endowment, the Spanish students would not have been able to visit the excavation site. 

Campbell, like the students, is able to reap the rewards of her generosity. Throughout the year, Campbell receives postcards from Southeast students all over the world, describing their adventures and thanking her for assisting them in their travels. 

“I am very appreciative of Harryette Campbell and all her donations,” says Southeast student Lyndsey Kueckelhan. “I think it is important for students to experience every part of the country they can, beaches and all.”

Because approximately 50 students are impacted by this program each year, this story is a great example of how multiple students can be “touched” by a donor’s gift.