Thomas E. Atkins, curator emeritus of the University of Missouri, has donated $105,000 to the University of Missouri to help extend a pilot wellness program to all four campuses, including Rolla.

The program began at the University of Missouri Health Care with the long-range goal of including all campuses. Health psychologist Dr. Laura Schopp, who led the successful pilot program among UMHC employees, will head the program and will be responsible for designing, implementing and evaluating the program as it rolls out to all campuses. Phyllis McCoy, director of human resource services at UMR, will serve as the UMR campus liaison.

Last December, the board of curators approved naming the Wellness Program at the University of Missouri the “Thomas E. Atkins Wellness Program” in honor of Atkins. During his tenure as a curator, Atkins championed the establishment of a wellness program at the university to serve faculty, staff and students. Atkins remains a strong supporter of the program and the belief that health and productivity are inextricably linked.