Purdue receives $8 million commitment from alumni couple in support of Daniels School

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University has received an $8 million commitment from longtime benefactors Sam (BS management ’75, HDR management ’17) and Marsha (BS health and human sciences ’75) Allen in support of the Mitch Daniels School of Business.

The gift includes $5 million to name a new laboratory within the school, called the Allen Family Innovation and Integration Business & Engineering Lab, and $3 million to name the directorship of the Brock-Wilson Center for Women in Business. Current director Cara Putman and all future directors will now be named the Marsha Allen Director of the center.

“Purdue is deeply grateful to have dedicated Boilermakers like Sam and Marsha Allen, who have enthusiastically embraced our vision for the future of the Daniels School of Business and the university as a whole,” said Purdue President Mung Chiang. “This generous contribution strengthens the foundation of a world-class business school on the rise, one that will educate many future trailblazers in a technology-driven, free-market economy — and advances Purdue’s excellence at scale.” 

The Daniels School represents a key focus of “Victories & Heroes: Your Campaign for Purdue,” the $4 billion comprehensive fundraising campaign the university launched in February.

With plans for the reimagined school approved in early 2023, demand has never been higher for a Purdue business education. Recently ranked among the world’s best business schools, the school prepares tomorrow’s leaders and entrepreneurs, grounding them in the hallmarks of a Purdue education, including STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and business analytics.

The new lab represents a revolution in interdisciplinary education, where the fusion of business acumen, engineering insight and technological proficiency forms the cornerstone of learning. Covering more than 3,000 square feet, the space will be equipped with cutting-edge technologies designed to address current and future societal problems in areas such as health care, manufacturing, semiconductors, microelectronics and more.

“We are honored and inspired by this extraordinary gift, which advances the core mission of our new school as we position ourselves as a beacon of excellence,” said Jim Bullard, the Dr. Samuel R. Allen Dean of the Daniels School. “The lab will stand as a premier space within the school, symbolizing the future of business education and serving as a benchmark for what higher education should aspire to be as the world evolves. Naming the directorship empowers us to recruit top talent for a critical leadership role.”

Sam Allen worked at John Deere for 45 years, retiring in 2021 after serving as CEO for 11 years. Previously, the Allens made major commitments in support of the Purdue business school, the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex and the Ackerman Hills Course — which is now named the Ackerman-Allen Course in recognition of their contribution. They intentionally aligned their latest gift with Purdue Day of Giving, the university’s annual social media-driven fundraising effort.

“Marsha and I are proud to give back to Purdue, which has been so instrumental in our success, and we’re particularly happy to support the Daniels School at this crucial time,” Sam Allen said. “We love Purdue and fully believe in its mission and its bold vision for the future. Making our contribution during the campaign — and on Purdue Day of Giving, which we’ve followed enthusiastically for years — adds a layer of impact we hope will inspire others to give back as well.”

The naming of the women’s center directorship carries special meaning for the Allens. Marsha Allen and Jane Brock-Wilson (BS management ’78), whose gift led to the naming of the center, were both members of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority while they were undergraduates.

“That was such a meaningful and joyful part of my life, so supporting something founded by a Purdue sorority sister feels like a true full-circle moment,” Marsha Allen said. “Purdue is clearly committed to an exciting new approach to educating tomorrow’s business leaders — many of whom will be women — and I’m honored to have my legacy linked to hers through this important center.”

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a public research university leading with excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities in the United States, Purdue discovers, disseminates and deploys knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 107,000 students study at Purdue across multiple campuses, locations and modalities, including more than 58,000 at our main campus in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue’s main campus has frozen tuition 14 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap — including its comprehensive urban expansion, the Mitch Daniels School of Business, Purdue Computes and the One Health initiative — at https://www.purdue.edu/president/strategic-initiatives.

About the Purdue for Life Foundation

The Purdue for Life Foundation helps friends and alumni of Purdue University stay connected, get involved and give back. Created on March 11, 2020, the foundation deepens alumni ties to Purdue, drives and coordinates all alumni-related activities across the Purdue family’s postgraduation lives and works with alumni and friends to garner support for the university. Our organization combines the alumni engagement function of the Purdue Alumni Association and the University Development Office, and it includes President’s Council and the John Purdue Club, as well as alumni lifelong learning programs and on-campus residential opportunities. Learn more at  https://purdueforlife.org/.