February 10, 2008

Purdue cancer research, Science Bound receive $2.5 million injection from alumni gift

Peter and Sally Kay
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A $2 million gift from Peter and Sally Kay of Cincinnati will create an endowed professorship in clinical cancer research. Another $500,000 will support the university's mentorship and scholarships for students in Indianapolis Public Schools.

The gift was announced Sunday night (Feb. 10) at the university's President's Council Appreciation Dinner in Naples, Fla.

"Peter and Sally Kay's gift brings hope to people worldwide who live with cancer and to students who aspire to college," Purdue President France A. Córdova said. "I am grateful for their gift, which will make it possible for Purdue to support a leading researcher in oncological science and support our Science Bound program."

Timothy Ratliff, director of the Purdue Cancer Center, said the gift will help Purdue move forward in its cancer research.

"To solve a complex, global problem like cancer, we need the best minds in clinical research working toward solutions that are cost-effective and adaptable for human trials," Ratliff said. "The Kays' gift will allow us to invest in one of our most important resources in the fight against cancer - our researchers."

Through Science Bound, Purdue faculty and staff mentor eighth-grade to 12th-grade IPS students and encourage them to take classes in preparation for future careers in science, technology, engineering and math-science education. Upon acceptance, the students receive an opportunity to earn a full-tuition scholarship to Purdue to study in an approved technical field.

Peter Kay, who earned his doctorate in chemistry from Purdue in 1966, said he and his wife believe in the cancer research under way at Purdue.

"We want to see an impact on society by transitioning research into human clinical trials where it can bring hope and answers to cancer sufferers," he said. "This gift to Purdue is the best way we know to help."

The Kays served on the director's advisory board of the Purdue Cancer Center from 2003-05 and continue to advise the center on an informal basis. They are co-chairs of the Purdue President's Council, a group of more than 17,000 alumni and friends that financially support the university.

Peter Kay has retired from Strategic Management, a business consulting firm he founded in 1986, but continues to perform consultation work. He previously spent 20 years in positions at Picker International, Harshaw Chemical and DuPont. A fan of sports, especially crew, he founded and chaired the Purdue Crew Fund, and has both contributed to and helped raise funds for the Purdue Crew Club boathouse.

In addition to his leadership with the crew team, Peter Kay is a former president of the Purdue Alumni Foundation. He has held several advisory roles across the university, including membership on the Discovery Park Advisory Council, Science Dean's Advisory Council, President's Council Advisory Committee and the national steering committee for the university's $1.7 billion Campaign for Purdue.

Sally Kay spent 36 years with the Dow Chemical Co. and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare. She spent the last 25 years of her career leading innovation and new product development. She now performs consulting work in strategic product development.

The Kays have supported a number of projects at Purdue in the past, including Science Bound. They also have contributed to cancer research and to the construction of the Wayne T. and Mary T. Hockmeyer Hall, which will house Purdue's structural biology department upon its completion.

The Kays' gift will support a clinical researcher who will be affiliated with either the Purdue Cancer Center or the Purdue Oncological Sciences Center.

The Purdue Cancer Center is among a small group of cancer centers nationwide to earn the National Cancer Institute designation. One of just seven designated basic-research cancer centers in the United States, the center helps cancer patients by identifying new molecular targets and designing future agents and drugs for effectively detecting and treating cancer.

The Oncological Sciences Center blends basic cancer research and engineering research to create team-oriented research efforts to impact cancer patients. The center aims to translate new knowledge into strategies that prevent cancer, effectively detect and eradicate it at early stages, and ultimately diminish the devastating effect cancer has on society.

Writer: Tanya Brown, (765) 494-2079, tanyabrown@purdue.edu

Source: Timothy Ratliff, (765) 494-9129, tlratliff@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: The Peter and Sally Kay gift to cancer research and Science Bound will be announced at an alumni gathering during a Purdue On the Road visit to Naples, Fla.

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