Trustees laud strong year

July 17, 2015  


WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University continues to move forward, posting several records for the fiscal year ended on June 30. The record-breaking totals in annual giving, research awards, and patents and startups were announced Friday (July 17) at the university’s Board of Trustees meeting.

“We are thrilled that last year was among the best in Purdue’s history,” Board of Trustees Chairman Tom Spurgeon said. “From research to fundraising to entrepreneurial endeavors, it’s evident that Boilermaker pride and ingenuity are strong across campus and around the world. We congratulate those who helped make this past year such a success.”

The record numbers come on the heels of the university’s continued emphasis on affordability and transformative education. Earlier this year, Purdue announced it would freeze tuition for a third and fourth year through 2016-17, and at the same time announced a 3.5 percent merit pay increase pool for faculty and staff. This past spring also saw a record number of applications from prospective students.

GIVING

More than 76,000 donors – including a record 18,596 first-time donors – made 2014-2015 a banner year. Giving to the university reached an all-time high of $343.4 million. According to Amy Noah, Purdue vice president for development, total dollars raised were up $108 million over the previous year - a 46 percent increase. This marks the 14th consecutive year giving to Purdue has exceeded $200 million. More information is available at http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2015/Q3/giving-to-purdue-sets-new-records-as-university-raises-the-most-money-in-its-history.html

RESEARCH

Research funding at Purdue rose to record levels during the last fiscal year, reaching $401 million for the year completed on June 30. Suresh Garimella, Purdue’s executive vice president for research and partnerships and the Goodson Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering, reported 2014-2015 was the best year for external research funding in university history when ARRA funds are excluded from award totals. More information is available at http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2015/Q3/purdue-research-funding-reaches-record-highs.html

COMMERCIALIZATION

Purdue had a record year for commercialization, as well, with 178 new patents, 241 technologies licensed to 131 different entities, 317 invention disclosures and 40 startups in the past year alone. According to Dan Hasler, Purdue Research Foundation president and chief entrepreneurial officer, last fiscal year saw Purdue’s startup class of 2014 bring $25 million in venture funding to the state and create 75 new positions. A recent report released by the National Academy of Inventors and the Intellectual Property Owners Association ranked Purdue 16th in the world, up from 36th two years ago, among universities granted U.S. utility patents. More information is available at http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2015/Q3/purdue-sets-record-in-startup,-commercialization-activities-for-second-year.html 

Writer: Charlie Henry, 765-496-2644, cghenry@purdue.edu 

Sources: Tom Spurgeon, trustees@purdue.edu

Suresh Garimella, 765-494-6209, sureshg@purdue.edu

Dan Hasler, DJHasler@prf.org

Amy Noah, 765-494-1704, arnoah@purdue.edu 

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