UMSL awarded Express Scripts the Des and Mary Ann Lee Medal for Philanthropy. UMSL Chancellor Tom George (right) and UM System President Gary Forsee (left) present the medal to George Paz, chief executive officer and chairman of Express Scripts, on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

Express Scripts knows what it means to be a good neighbor, and the company has proven that with $4 million in gifts to the University of Missouri–St. Louis since 2005, when the company announced it would move its world headquarters to the UMSL campus.

The contributions include two gifts that were announced Tuesday – $2.5 million from the company and $500,000 from Express Scripts Chief Executive Officer and Chairman George Paz and Melissa, his wife. The Express Scripts Foundation previously donated $1 million to the university.

“Express Scripts is helping expand the university’s capacity to serve the region through college preparatory programs, scholarships, capital improvements and additional opportunities,” said Paz, BSBA 1982. “In return, the university is retaining the best and brightest for the region, building an educated and skilled work force, and advancing research, technological and scientific excellence.”

The gift announcements were made at Founders Dinner. The annual dinner was used to unveil the university’s Gateway for Greatness Campaign. More than 650 friends and supporters attended the event at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis in Clayton, Mo. The evening included recognition of distinguished alumni and St. Louis area business and cultural leaders. Many have invested millions of dollars in the future of the university.

A campaign video also debuted at Founders Dinner. The video can be seen at the new Web site for the campaign.