Purdue News
Purdue NewsRenee Thomas, director of the Black Cultural Center, announced the Lilly gift today (Friday, 2/7) as the first of several anticipated gifts from area businesses.
"We appreciate Lilly's commitment and support of a new Black Cultural Center," Thomas said. "Lilly's partnership is a clear recognition of the important role the BCC plays in enhancing the quality of life at Purdue and in the Greater Lafayette community. Building connections between the university and the community and between peoples of different backgrounds and cultures are critical to the success and growth of Greater Lafayette."
Jim Kleck, general manager of the Lilly Tippecanoe Laboratories, said he looked forward to the positive impact of the new BCC facility.
"We believe supporting the capital campaign for the new Black Cultural Center facility will enable the center to better demonstrate its commitment to cultural diversity at Purdue and in the community. Lilly will benefit from the partnership with the Black Cultural Center by enhancing opportunities for recruiting minority employees and in helping to welcome them as contributing members of the community and as an essential part of our culturally diverse work force."
Purdue has raised $1.1 million in a $3 million campaign to finance construction of the new center. The two-story, 18,000-square-foot structure will be almost twice the size of the current 90-year old building. Purdue has provided the land and $1 million toward the construction.
The Black Cultural Center serves about 35,000 people each year through its four performing arts ensembles, speaker series, tours and other programs.
CONTACTS: Thomas, (765) 494-3091; e-mail, rathomas@hfs.purdue.edu
Jim Bodenmiller, Eli Lilly (765) 477-4340
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu
