$10M gift to create ethics center at Daniels School of Business

Longtime Purdue University benefactors Norman and Karen Blake have committed $10 million toward the creation of an ethics center within the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business. The center, which will bear the Blake family name, will provide students with repeated exposure to ethics training through the school’s curriculum and other studies.

The gift will also cover expenses associated with a scholar’s program, monthly educational forums, and a center director’s position.

“This generous gift from the Blakes will help us build the foundation for a world-class business school that educates many future leaders of a technology-driven, free-market economy,” said Purdue University President Mung Chiang. “The Blake Family Center will provide many students in the Daniels School of Business the opportunities to develop ethical leadership.”

Norm Blake and his wife Karen both attended Purdue in the 1960s. Norm studied international relations and economics at Purdue. He has served as CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee and as former chairman, president or CEO of several Fortune 500 companies.

Previous gifts from the Blakes led to the establishment of the Blake Family Endowed Chair of Strategic Management in the Daniels School of Business and the Karen and Norm Blake Dean’s Scholar Award Endowment in the College of Liberal Arts.

“Purdue has played a pivotal role in our lives, and throughout our lives – we met here, and we have children and grandchildren who chose to attend the university – so giving back comes naturally to us,” said Norm Blake. “We give to Purdue because we want to perpetuate its unique culture and the instrumental role the university can play in the lives of students. We’re honored to be part of the reimagining of the business school, a move that will help propel Purdue to even greater heights in the decades to come.”