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August 19, 2002

Purdue sets fund-raising record of $234 million

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University fund raising hit an historic high of $234 million during the 2001-2002 fiscal year, a third more than last year's record.

Purdue President Martin C. Jischke said the increase in gifts to the university demonstrates the steadfast commitment and support of a constituency base of alumni, friends and corporate donors.

"We are extremely grateful that our donors not only share, but are excited about Purdue's strategic vision," Jischke said. "Our university is fortunate to have generous supporters who understand that they are crucial to turning our vision of excellence into reality."

Murray Blackwelder, senior vice president for advancement, said that this year's gifts and pledges making up the $234 million total include:

• $148 million in outright gifts of cash, securities and gifts in-kind; a 35 percent increase.

• $55 million in new pledges; an overall increase of 45 percent.

• $31 million in planned gifts; a 21 percent increase.

Purdue alumni provided almost 30 percent of total 2001-2002 gift income; corporations gave 31.2 percent; friends contributed 21.7 percent; foundations gave 16.4 percent; and others organizations combined for the remaining 0.7 percent.

"It is an undeniable testament to Purdue and its impact on people that more than half of the contributions given to the university come from individuals," Blackwelder said. "The university is preparing to launch the largest fund-raising campaign in its history. This high level of support from so many members of the Purdue community tells me that we are certain to meet our goals."

Many of the gifts and pledges made to the university will help create new learning environments for students and improve existing academic facilities. One such example is the Schools of Engineering's master building plan, which calls for more than $400 million in construction and renovation to improve and enhance existing facilities.

"I am very proud of the generous support for the planned new civil engineering lab," said Julio Ramirez, a professor in the School of Civil Engineering. "This facility will help us provide our students with a world-class and state-of-the-art research and learning environment – which also fosters the recruitment and retention of the highest quality of students and faculty for the university."

Some of the gifts and pledges made during the 2001-2002 fiscal year include:

  • $30 million from Michael and Katherine Birck for the Birck Nanotechnology Center in Discovery Park.

  • $25.6 million from the Lilly Endowment to Purdue's Discovery Park.

  • $21.2 million in timberland from the Fred van Eck estate to the Department of Forestry in the School of Agriculture.

  • $7.6 million for the bioscience engineering center in Discovery Park.

  • $4 million from Robert and Adeline Henson to the Chemical Engineering Gift Fund and Capital Campaign.

  • $3 million from IBM Corp. to the Department of Computer Graphics in the School of Technology.

  • $3 million from Dick and Sandy Dauch for the alumni center to be named in their honor.

  • $2.5 million to the School of Mechanical Engineering from Don and Catherine Feddersen.

  • $2 million from Richard and Dottie Shively to Purdue Intercollegiate Athletics' renovation of Ross-Ade Stadium.

  • $2 million from William B. Elmore and Mary J. Elmore-Hanna to the Birck Nanotechnology Center in Discovery Park.

  • $2 million from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Undergraduate Education Program to support undergraduate experiential learning.

  • Nearly 500 rare items to the Purdue Libraries' Amelia Earhart Collection from the Sally Putnam Chapman family.

    Writer: Jesica Webb, (765) 494-2079; (765) 423-7326, pager; or jwebb@purdue.edu

    Sources: Martin C. Jischke, (765) 494-2055

    Murray Blackwelder, (765) 496-2144

    Greg Kapp, director of development services (765) 494-9888


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