seal  Purdue News
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Purdue celebrates gifts for strategic plan,
construction to help Indiana economy

Purdue University continued to turn its strategic plan into reality during Homecoming Week as it broke ground, dedicated or celebrated the results of fund raising for 11 buildings.

The university also celebrated donations for professorships and student scholarships, as well as industry-grade software.

"We're keeping our promise to Hoosiers by focusing on the kinds of advanced technology niches that are part of our state's economic development future," said Murray Blackwelder, senior vice president for advancement. "We are also raising $600 million for scholarships and new programs, as well as new faculty positions. Our goal is to make a Purdue education world-class, yet affordable, and to attract the very best faculty to our classrooms."

The announcements included $63 million in new gifts, making the total raised $776 million toward the $1.3 billion goal of the Campaign for Purdue.

"'It's Happening Here,' is our catch phrase that tries to capture the excitement on campus," Blackwelder said. "Purdue is on the move. You'll sense that spirit in our banners, our events, and the smiles on the faces of our students and alumni."

The announcements and celebrations encompassed 11 buildings projects, including the:

• $25 million Biomedical Engineering Building.

• $15 million Bindley Bioscience Center.

• The School of Management's $35 million Rawls Hall.

• $11million Bowen Civil Engineering Laboratory, unlike any in the world for testing large structures like buildings and bridges.

• School of Science's $20 million computer science building.

• Schools of Engineering's $46 million Millennium Building.

• School of Liberal Art's proscenium theater in the new $38 million Visual and Performing Arts Building.

• $37 million for two School of Mechanical Engineering facilities: a $26 million wing and renovations to Ray W. Herrick Laboratories.

Advanced Wireless Concept Validation Laboratory in the new $51 million Birck Nanotechnology Center in Discovery Park.

• $4 million John S. Wright Forestry Center at the Martell Forest.