Purdue announces new gifts totaling nearly $11 million
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University has announced new gifts totaling nearly $11 million that will help educate teachers, engineers and veterinarians.
"Purdue is fortunate to have such generous benefactors," said President France A. Córdova. "These gifts are a key resource that make a critical difference to students' ability to attend Purdue. I get letters frequently from students and their families thanking the university and its benefactors for making a transformative difference in their lives."
The gifts are:
* $6 million being given anonymously. The deferred gift will be split between the colleges of Education and Engineering. It is given by an alumni couple dedicated to the success of both disciplines.
"This is the second-largest gift received by the College of Education since it was created in 1989," said Dean Maryann Santos de Barona. "We are affirmed and humbled by the donors' generosity, which supports the college and the work that we do. Gifts to the College of Education benefit not only the Purdue students enrolled in our programs, but also extend to the multitude of students and families who will learn from our graduates as they work as educators, counselors, administrators and thought leaders."
* $1.5 million being given by Geoffrey and Kelly Crowley to support strategic initiatives for the College of Engineering.
Geoffrey Crowley of Appleton, Wis., is president of Northshore Leasing. He earned a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary engineering from Purdue in 1974.
He has made significant contributions to the aviation industry through consulting, marketing, customer service and quality assurance. In 1993 he and his partners acquired Air Wisconsin, then close to bankruptcy. They grew the airline from 12 planes and 600 employees to 86 planes, more than 3,500 employees and a route system spread throughout the United States and Canada.
"We are pleased to help Purdue's College of Engineering continue its pursuit of excellence," Crowley said. "It is extremely important that the United States create more engineers to help grow our nation's economy in today's global business environment. There is no better institution than Purdue for our young people to gain the education and experience to survive and prosper in the world today."
Leah Jamieson, the John A. Edwardson Dean of Engineering, said, "These gifts will help the College of Engineering meet its goal of educating renaissance engineers who are prepared to be leaders in responding to global technological, economic and societal challenges. The gifts also will be pivotal in helping us steer our research enterprise in new and important directions."
* $1.5 million from the estate of Phyllis J. Ciez for the School of Veterinary Medicine.
Ciez, who lived in Cedar Lake, Ind., died in December at age 80. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Margaret A. Ciez, who had hoped to pursue a veterinary medicine degree at Purdue. Phyllis Ciez had given generously during her lifetime to animal-related causes.
* $1.9 million from Maddie's Fund for ongoing support of the School of Veterinary Medicine's shelter medicine program.
Maddie's Fund was founded by Dave and Cheryl Duffield in memory of their miniature schnauzer, Maddie, to help save homeless dogs and cats.
Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program provides graduate and residency training in shelter management, applied behavior and preventive medicine, and offers critical experience to students through externships and clinical rotations in shelters.
"With an emphasis on research and graduate training, Purdue adds its own unique strength to the field of shelter medicine," said Maddie's Fund veterinary director Laurie Peek. "Maddie's Fund is proud to support this program, which will add a wealth of new knowledge to the field and educate the leaders who will impact shelter medicine for many years to come."
Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program works with two collaborating shelters: the adoption guarantee PAWS Chicago and the Humane Society of Indianapolis.
"Thanks to these gifts, our veterinary students will be better prepared for their careers," said Dean Willie Reed. "The Ciez gift is unrestricted and can be used for a variety of training options. The Maddie's Fund program helps us prepare veterinarians who understand the needs of homeless pets and are committed to making a difference."
Writer: Judith Barra Austin, 765-494-2432, jbaustin@purdue.edu
Sources: France A. Córdova, president@purdue.edu
Maryann Santos de Barona, 765-494-2336, msdb@purdue.edu
Leah Jamieson, 765-494-5346, lhj@purdue.edu
Willie Reed, 765-494-7608, wreed@purdue.edu