DePauw Announces Millions in Gifts
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowDePauw University is detailing more than $14 million in new gifts. The largest comes from Prindle Institute founder Janet Prindle, whose $10 million will boost the institute's ethics programming.
February 10, 2014
News Release
Greencastle, Ind. — President Brian W. Casey announced today that the University's Board of Trustees, during its meeting over this past weekend, formally accepted $14.4 million in new gifts, including 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,” said Dr. Casey in acknowledging the three commitments.
$10 million Endowed Fund for The Prindle Institute
The lead gift to support the Prindle Institute comes from Janet W. Prindle '58, 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,” added Casey regarding Prindle’s gift.
Ms. 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,” said Prindle. “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.”
$3.1 million Estate Gift for Athletics Facilities
An estate gift of $3.4 million from Patricia K. Fehl ’49 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, the University’s athletics campus construction includes the 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 the chair of the department of physical education at West Virginia University until her retirement in 1989.
$1 million Endowment for the Humanities
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. This most recent commitment marks the third such gift from the Asher family, with previous gifts supporting similar funds in psychology and the social sciences.
MEC 002Dr. Asher, a professor emeritus of education and psychological sciences at Purdue University, is a 1950 graduate of the University.
“The student-faculty collaborations that are a hallmark of a DePauw education are made possible because of gifts like this one,” said Casey. “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.”
Source: DePauw University