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$14.4 million in new gifts for DPU academic, athletic efforts
The DePauw University Board of Trustees, during its meeting this past weekend, formally accepted $14.4 million in new gifts.
DePauw President Brian W. Casey announced that the gifts include a $10 million gift to endow programming at the Prindle Institute for Ethics, a $3.4 million gift for athletics, and a $1 million gift to create a new endowed fund for the humanities.
"These gifts represent a profound investment in the university's academic program and in a campus that provides one of the most well-rounded student experience of any in the nation," Casey said in acknowledging the three commitments.
The $10 million lead gift to support the Prindle Institute comes from Janet W. Prindle, a 1958 DePauw graduate, who first established the Institute with a 2005 gift supporting the its construction.
Her latest gift will provide new endowed resources to undergird the institute's programming,which is dedicated to the study of ethics, incorporating ethical inquiry into the university's curriculum and hosting a wide range of lectures and symposia centered on ethics, philosophy and leaders.
"The capacity for ethical inquiry and reflection is central to the education of our students and with Janet's generosity we will further establish the Prindle Institute as a central feature of academic life at DePauw," Casey added regarding Prindle's gift.
Prindle is a former managing director of Neuberger Berman LLC, an investment management firm in New York City. She was the firm's first female partner and was also among the first to establish socially conscious investment funds.
"The importance of critical thinking about ethical issues was at the forefront of my mind when we established the Institute, and I feel even stronger about that need today," Prindle said. "Our fundamental goal is to ensure the long-term strength of the institute as a place known for engaging students and faculty with the most pressing ethical questions of the day."
Meanwhile, an estate gift of $3.4 million from Patricia K. Fehl , a 1949 DPU graduate, will provide $3.1 million to support the implementation of the university's athletics facilities master plan, specifically the athletics campus project.
With more than $13 million in current construction efforts in the athletics campus, DePauw's athletics campus construction includes installation of a new turf field and track at Blackstock Stadium; the construction of a new venue (with two synthetic turf fields) for soccer, lacrosse and field hockey; and new venues for field events.
A former field hockey and volleyball player and member of the DePauw Athletic Hall of Fame, Fehl served as chairman of the department of physical education at West Virginia University until her retirement in 1989.
Additionally, a $1 million gift from Dr. J. William "Bill" and Dorothy A. Asher will create a new endowed fund to support the work of students and faculty in the humanities. The most recent commitment marks the third such gift from the Asher family, with previous gifts supporting similar funds in psychology and the social sciences.
Dr. Asher, a professor emeritus of education and psychological sciences at Purdue University, is a 1950 graduate of DePauw.
"The student-faculty collaborations that are a hallmark of a DePauw education are made possible because of gifts like this one," Casey said. "I am honored by Bill and Dorothy's ongoing commitment to DePauw and I look forward to the opportunities that will be available to our students because of this latest gift."
Meanwhile, an estate gift of $3.4 million from Patricia K. Fehl, a 1949 DPU graduate, will provide $3.1 million to support the implementation of the university's athletics facilities master plan, specifically the athletics campus project.
With more than $13 million in current construction efforts in the athletics campus, DePauw's athletics campus construction includes installation of a new turf field and track at Blackstock Stadium; the construction of a new venue (with two synthetic turf fields) for soccer, lacrosse and field hockey; and new venues for field events.
A former field hockey and volleyball player and member of the DePauw Athletic Hall of Fame, Fehl served as chairman of the department of physical education at West Virginia University until her retirement in 1989.
Additionally, a $1 million gift from Dr. J. William "Bill" and Dorothy A. Asher will create a new endowed fund to support the work of students and faculty in the humanities.
The most recent commitment marks the third such gift from the Asher family, with previous gifts supporting similar funds in psychology and the social sciences.
Dr. Asher, a professor emeritus of education and psychological sciences at Purdue University, is a 1950 graduate of DePauw.
"The student-faculty collaborations that are a hallmark of a DePauw education are made possible because of gifts like this one," Casey said. "I am honored by Bill and Dorothy's ongoing commitment to DePauw and I look forward to the opportunities that will be available to our students because of this latest gift."