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| • Purdue Alumni Association |
October 15, 2004
Purdue alumni, friends celebrate university's first alumni center
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Coming home will have new meaning for Purdue alumni returning to campus this weekend.
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Benefactors and friends of the university celebrated Homecoming with the dedication today (Friday, Oct. 15) of the new $16 million Dick and Sandy Dauch Alumni Center.
"This is the first alumni center in the history of our university – a definite source of pride for the more than 350,000 alumni Boilermakers," said Purdue President Martin C. Jischke. "It is nothing short of a dream come true for many of our alumni and friends, who now have a place to gather and enjoy fellowship when they come to campus."
The 67,000-square-foot, state-of-the art facility showcases the university's points of pride and achievements, said J. Todd Coleman, executive director of the Purdue Alumni Association, which has a membership of more than 68,000 graduates.
"The alumni center is a magnificent representation of Purdue's past, present and future," Coleman said. "Within these walls we tell a story – the story of our university and the enormous impact it has made in the lives of the students who have been educated here and the knowledge they use to transform the lives of others through their innovations, discoveries and determination."
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The two-story, red brick center was named in recognition of Richard E. and Sandra J. Dauch, of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., who made a lead gift of $3 million for the facility. Alumnus Tom Spurgeon, of Peoria Heights, Ill., gave a $1 million gift for the center's Spurgeon Hall of Spirit, located on the first floor. The Hall of Spirit includes state-of-the art, changeable showcases that feature photographs, memorabilia and other objects that highlight some of the university's accomplishments and distinguished alumni.
Five exhibits or alcoves are on display in addition to a tribute to Purdue astronauts that includes photos and historical information. A replica of the Boilermaker Special, Purdue's mascot, also is installed on one wall. Other well-known icons, symbols and historical documents also can be seen throughout the Spurgeon Hall of Spirit.
Another exhibit, called "Beginnings," features the early history of Purdue. The "Traditions" alcove features past and present Purdue traditions and aspects of student life, including historical spirit items, such as the senior cords, "All-American" Marching Band items, recorded music from the Varsity Glee Club, and a replica of the Purdue Band's "World's Largest" Drum.
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Purdue athletics are showcased in the "Athletics Alcove" that highlights championship teams, outstanding players, coaches and trophies. An exhibit called "Faces of Purdue" features university heroes and alumni memorabilia.
In the "Discovery Alcove" visitors can watch an interactive video on a plasma screen that highlights the university's groundbreaking science and research.
The center is located on the corner of Grant and Wood streets. It provides office space and conference and meeting rooms for the alumni association and university advancement staff, which conduct the university's fund-raising activities.
Dick Dauch, an alumnus and former Boilermaker football player, and his wife, Sandy, are longtime Purdue benefactors. They have given the university more than $9 million in support for various projects in recent years.
He is co-founder, chairman of the board and CEO of American Axle & Manufacturing Inc., headquartered in Detroit, which is a multibillion dollar, multinational automotive supplier. American Axle has 24 facilities in the United States and many other global locations.
Dauch earned his bachelor's degree in industrial management in 1964 and received an honorary doctorate in management from Purdue in 1999. He was a fullback and linebacker on the Boilermaker football team from 1961-63.
Sandy Dauch was born and raised in Ohio and came to Purdue in 1960 with her husband. She is active as a school and community volunteer and as a supporter of Purdue.
In 1998 the Dauchs, along with their sons, Richard F. and David C., and twin daughters, Teri Gigot and Jane Harvey, pledged $5 million over five years to the Krannert School of Management. The family also has committed $1 million over five years to support Purdue athletics. Krannert's Dauch Center for the Management of Manufacturing Enterprises was named in recognition of the family's contribution. Teri and Jane are graduates of Purdue's School of Nursing.
Spurgeon graduated from Purdue in 1961 with a bachelor's degree in industrial management. An entrepreneur who has built companies throughout the United States, he most recently was president and CEO of Lincoln Office in Peoria, Ill. He has served on the executive committee of the Purdue Alumni Association board of directors and chairs its Strategic Planning Task Force.
Spurgeon also is the lead donor for the $1.8 million Tom Spurgeon Golf Training Center, to be built at Purdue's Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex.
Writer: Jesica E. Webb, (765) 494-2079; jwebb@purdue.edu
Sources: Carolyn Gery, (765) 494-6902; cgery@purdue.edu
Todd Coleman, (765) 494-5184
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
Note to journalists: Video b-roll of the center also is available by contacting Jesica Webb at (765) 494-2079, (765) 426-1071, jwebb@purdue.edu
PHOTO CAPTION:
Visitors get their first look at the Spurgeon Hall of Spirit today (Friday, Oct. 15) during the dedication of Purdue's Dick and Sandy Dauch Alumni Center. The Hall of Spirit, located on the first floor of center, features changeable showcases with photographs, memorabilia and other objects that highlight some of the university's accomplishments and distinguished alumni. (Purdue News Service photo/David Umberger)
A publication-quality photograph is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2004/spurgeon-hall.jpg
PHOTO CAPTION:
Roger Mikels, at left, with Information Technology at Purdue, and James Slone of Video Images Inc., of Indianapolis, install the "Discovery Alcove" in the Spurgeon Hall of Spirit at the Dick and Sandy Dauch Alumni Center. The Hall of Spirit, located on the first floor of the alumni center, includes state-of-art, changeable showcases. (Purdue News Service photo/David Umberger)
PHOTO CAPTION:
Purdue's first lady Patty Jischke, in foreground, looks on as Tom Spurgeon, and Sandy and Dick Dauch, join Purdue President Martin C. Jischke today (Friday, Oct. 15) for the ribbon cutting at the university's new Dick and Sandy Dauch Alumni Center. The $16 million facility is the university's first alumni center and features several display areas that showcase the university's points of pride and achievements. (Purdue News Service photo/Dave Umberger)
A publication-quality photograph is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2004/dauch-spurgeon-ribbon.jpg
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