By Debby Woodin

dwoodin@joplinglobe.com

Robert Corley celebrated his 88th birthday Tuesday by giving a gift rather than receiving one.

The longtime Joplin businessman established an endowment that will fund scholarships for Missouri Southern State University students.

Bruce Speck, university president, announced the gift at a ceremony Tuesday afternoon. Speck would not disclose the amount of the gift other than to say it is seven figures to be paid from a life-insurance policy.

In recognition of the bequest, the university has named an auditorium in Webster Hall for Corley, who operated two clothing stores and a home-decor shop for many years in Joplin.

“The gift he has given to us is incredibly important to us because it will allow students to come to us,” Speck told a group of well-wishers who gathered in the newly named Corley Auditorium for the announcement.

“This gift will be here as far as anyone can see in the future,” Speck said. “We particularly appreciate it at this time.”

In reference to the current economic slump, Speck said, “It will be here in good times and bad.”

A plaque in honor of Corley was unveiled in the lobby outside the auditorium, and birthday cake was served to celebrate the day and the endowment.

Corley said he did not graduate from MSSU, but he chose it for the gift because he believes it is an important institution to the community. An arts patron, Corley said he had been visiting at MSSU since its early days when the Spiva Arts Center was located there and had continued his relationship with the university by enjoying the former International Piano Competition staged there.

Corley grew up in Columbus, Kan., and graduated from Columbus High School. He served in the Air Force and, after that, landed at the University of Southern California, where he earned a degree in business administration.

He moved to Joplin in 1948 and, within a few years, went into retail business.

He owned the Duds Shop, the Attic and Accents, retail stores that were located in the 2700 block of South Main Street. He sold men’s clothing at the Duds Shop, women’s attire at the Attic, and home decor, gifts and collectibles at Accents. He retired in 1989 after operating the stores for 38 years.

“I never went to school here, but I came to Joplin and I felt like my loyalties were to Joplin,” Corley said Tuesday at the reception in his honor. “I’m glad the university is growing like it is, and I think it’s a big factor in Joplin growing like it is.”