Pharmacy alumna and husband give additional $17 million to support Purdue College of Pharmacy

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – JeanAnne “Jeannie” and Jim Chaney, the Purdue University College of Pharmacy’s most generous donors, have made an additional $17 million commitment in support of pharmacy scholarships.

The Chaneys, who have supported a wide range of strategic opportunities at Purdue, are among the most prolific benefactors in university history. Including this estate gift, they have committed more than $44 million over 45 years.

“With this latest gift, the Chaneys have shown yet again how generous they are and how deep their love for Purdue runs,” said Purdue President Mung Chiang. “Their commitment to the university, its strategic vision and its students is essentially unmatched, and their impact will be felt for many generations to come.”

The most recent contribution will be distributed through the Chaney Family Scholarship Endowment. Scholarships established by the Chaneys include the JeanAnne D. & James B. Chaney Scholarship in Pharmacy, the JeanAnne Darr and James B. Chaney Education and Development Fund, the Jim and JeanAnne Chaney Pharmacy Student Support Endowment, and the James Russel Maier Memorial Scholarship.

“Scholarships have always been a major component of our giving because college debt is such a big concern for students,” the Chaneys said. “Purdue continues to prioritize affordability and accessibility, and we are in full support of that initiative. We strongly believe it is possible for Purdue Pharmacy, which is currently ranked No. 4 nationally, to remain among the top pharmacy programs in the country while the university still offers one of the most affordable educations around.”

The Chaneys have a long history of giving to Purdue and the College of Pharmacy. 

Among numerous other contributions, they previously made the lead gift for the Chaney-Hale Hall of Science and, in 2022, funded the first-ever termed deanship at the university with a $6 million pledge. That gift established the Jeannie and Jim Chaney Dean of Pharmacy for five years and the Jeannie and Jim Chaney Dean’s Excellence Fund Endowment for Pharmacy.

The couple was recognized for their philanthropy with the Purdue President’s Council Crystal Boilermaker Special and the college’s Friends of Pharmacy award. The Chaneys also are recipients of the President’s Council Pinnacle Award, the highest recognition for philanthropic contributions to Purdue.

“Simply put, the College of Pharmacy has been transformed by the passion and generosity of the Chaneys,” said Eric Barker, the Jeannie and Jim Chaney Dean of the College of Pharmacy. “In both the near and long term, their wide-ranging commitment will provide life-changing support for our students and enhance almost every aspect of our college, from the students and faculty we recruit to the facilities we use.”

Jeannie Chaney (pharmacy ‘61) served as a pharmacist in Ohio for nearly 50 years before retiring in 2011. She has served as chair of President’s Council and as a member of the steering committee of Pharmacy Women for Purdue and the Pharmacy Alumni Board. Jim Chaney is president of the Cleveland Syrup Corp., which provides sweeteners to food manufacturing companies. He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Denison University.

“It seems like every time Purdue seeks support for its next giant leap, the Chaneys are willing to step up and do whatever it takes,” said Matt Folk, president and CEO of the Purdue for Life Foundation and vice president for university advancement and alumni engagement at Purdue. “They are always in lockstep with the university, this time making one of the largest commitments toward affordability in Purdue history. I know the Chaneys love contributing to Purdue Day of Giving, as well, and this gift really helped us move the needle.”

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked in each of the last five years as one of the 10 Most Innovative universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://stories.purdue.edu.

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, the John Purdue Club and the Office of Industry Partnerships, as well as alumni lifelong learning programs and on-campus residential opportunities. Learn more at https://purdueforlife.org/.

Writer: Aaron Martin

Media contact: Derek Schultz, dcschultz@purdue.edu