September 6, 2006
Jischke to honor community donor, seek input on Purdue's future
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The breakfast, at 8 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Select City Centre in Lafayette, will be the beginning in a series of discussions held around the state during the upcoming year to learn what Indiana residents want in Purdue's next strategic plan.
During the event, Lafayette Bank and Trust will be honored for its longtime support to Purdue, including a pledge of $100,000 during the next five years. The gift will be split among three programs that benefit state youths — the Purdue Opportunity Awards, National Youth Sports Program at Purdue and ON-TRACK!, a new program to reach out to middle school students.
"Support from Indiana residents and businesses, such as the gift from Lafayette Bank and Trust, has been crucial when charting a course for Purdue during the last seven years," said Purdue president Martin C. Jischke. "The university has accomplished much on its march toward preeminence, but I believe Purdue can do much more in its mission to reach out to the world. This pledge will be integral by providing support to programs that touch Indiana's youth. We want to hear from people about how best the university can continue to have this kind of impact in the community."
Lafayette Bank and Trust is giving to support the community's future, said Tony Albrecht, bank president.
"Partnering with Purdue to address the needs of challenged youth is very appealing to our bank because these programs help strengthen the community," Albrecht said. "The National Youth Sports Program and ON-TRACK! are targeted for the youth of our community who may have unique challenges. The Purdue Opportunity Awards give us an opportunity to award a scholarship for years to come.
"When the community partners with the university, we all benefit. Our gift will help continue this type of success, which is good for Purdue, our community and the state of Indiana."
The Purdue Opportunity Awards program will receive $70,000 of the Lafayette Bank and Trust gift. Now in its third year, the Purdue Opportunity Awards program ensures tuition, room and board are covered for a high-need freshman and sophomore from each of Indiana's 92 counties. The program also provides additional support for students in their junior year.
It gives students who may not have been able to attend college due to finances, personal hardships or other extenuating circumstances a way to further their education. So far, Purdue Opportunity Awards have been given to 277 students representing all of Indiana's 92 counties.
Another $15,000 of the bank's gift will go toward the award-winning National Youth Sports Program at Purdue, an annual five-week summer program that promotes sports, healthy lifestyles, learning skills and community service. The Department of Health and Kinesiology in the College of Liberal Arts organizes the program.
About 400 children, ages 10-16, participated in this summer's program, which ended July 21. The program targets students who qualify for either free or reduced lunch programs defined by federal guidelines. The students, in teams of about 15, rotate through activity stations that include basketball, tennis, softball, swimming, soccer and volleyball, as well as computer skills training, nutritional information, dangers of substance abuse, community service-learning projects and career opportunities.
The remaining $15,000 of the gift will go to ON-TRACK!, a Purdue pilot program at Sunnyside and Tecumseh middle schools that started this year. The program is designed to accomplish a number of goals, such as providing encouragement, helping students make connections with each other and motivating students to pursue education beyond high school.
The outreach program, organized by Purdue's College of Education, included 210 middle school students during its first semester.
Gerry Dick, host of "Inside INdiana Business," will moderate the discussion about Purdue's next strategic plan.
Following the breakfast, attendees will receive a summary of the discussion and a questionnaire that will allow them to make specific suggestions about Purdue's future role in the state.
Launched in fall 2001, Purdue's strategic plan will conclude on June 30. The overarching goals include adding 300 new faculty positions; offering competitive salaries in order to recruit and retain the best faculty and staff; increasing diversity of the campuses; expanding the research capacity in visionary interdisciplinary initiatives; investing $800 million in modernization and expansion of Purdue's infrastructure; broadening engagement efforts with Indiana, focusing on economic development and K-12 education; and expanding scholarships and financial aid to ensure that no talented student would be denied the opportunity to attend Purdue solely because of finances.
The strategic plan initiatives are funded through the $1.5 billion Campaign for Purdue, which has raised $1.425 billion to date.
Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu
Sources: Martin C. Jischke, (765) 494-9708
Drew Koch, director of Student Access, Transition and Success Programs, (765) 496-3618, akkoch@purdue.edu
William Harper, activity director of National Youth Sports Program, (765) 494-1518, wharper@purdue.edu
Jennifer Jeffries, director of development for College of Education, (765) 496-3545, jcjeffries@purdue.edu
Tony Albrecht, (765) 423-7100
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists: Media can attend the breakfast at 8 a.m. Wednesday (Sept. 6) at the Holiday Inn Select City Centre, 515 South St. To reserve a space, contact Christy Jones, Purdue News Service, at (765) 494-1089.
Related Web site:
The Campaign for Purdue
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