Purdue receives $10 million commitment from Blake family to establish ethics center in new Daniels School of Business

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University has received a $10 million commitment from alumni Norman and Karen Blake to establish an ethics center within the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business.

The Blake Family Center for Ethics will provide students with repeated exposure to ethics training through strategically implemented opportunities to apply ethics across the new school’s curriculum and other studies. The gift will fund:

• A director position
• Curriculum development
• A scholars program
• Monthly forums and an annual symposium

“The Blake Family Center will provide many students in the Daniels School of Business the opportunities to develop ethical leadership,” said Mung Chiang, president of Purdue University. “Done with integrity, business is a noble profession that creates jobs, wealth and opportunities. This generous gift from the Blakes will help us build the foundation for a world-class business school that educates many future leaders of a technology-driven, free-market economy.”

Norman “Norm” Blake studied international relations and economics at Purdue. He has served as CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee and as former chairman, president or CEO of several Fortune 500 companies. Blake also formerly served as a member of the business school’s Dean’s Advisory Council and took part in the Old Masters program. 

Together, Norm (LA ’65, MA LA ’66, HDR M ’95) and Karen (EDU ’65) Blake have served on the Parents Advisory Council and the Liberal Arts Dean’s Advisory Council. They earned the President’s Council Distinguished Pinnacle Award in 2005.

“Purdue has played a pivotal role in our lives, and throughout our lives – we met here, and we have children and grandchildren who chose to attend the university – so giving back comes naturally to us,” Norm Blake said. “The most important thing I learned at Purdue, and what helped me succeed in the business world, was that never-give-up attitude that is characteristic of all Boilermakers. We give to Purdue because we want to perpetuate its unique culture and the instrumental role the university can play in the lives of students. We’re honored to be part of the reimagining of the business school, a move that will help propel Purdue to even greater heights in the decades to come.”

The Blakes are longtime Purdue benefactors. Their wide-reaching generosity includes the establishment of the Blake Family Endowed Chair of Strategic Management in the Daniels School of Business and the Karen and Norm Blake Dean’s Scholar Award Endowment in the College of Liberal Arts, as well as ongoing support of Purdue Athletics and the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research. 

“The fact that Norm and Karen Blake keep finding ways to support the university is a testament to the lasting influence Purdue can have on people,” said Matt Folk, president and CEO of the Purdue for Life Foundation and vice president for university advancement and alumni engagement. “Considering their success in business and in life, as well as their enduring commitment to Purdue, it is a privilege to have the Blake name attached to the Daniels School of Business.”

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, schul221@purdue.edu