Estate Gift to Fund IU Scholarships
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA member of the 1926-1927 Indiana University basketball team has left the school a gift worth more than $1.5 million. The donation from Harold Anderson will help fund scholarships for the school's athletic department and the College of Arts and Sciences.
June 5, 2014
News Release
Bloomington, Ind. — Indiana University Athletics and the College of Arts and Sciences will receive over $1.5 million from the estate of the late Harold J. Anderson. The gift, divided between IU Athletics and the College, will provide support for undergraduate students through the Anderson Athletic Scholarship and the Anderson Overseas Study Scholarship.
Anderson earned a B.A. in history and a J.D. from the Maurer School of Law and was a forward on the IU basketball team in 1926-27.
Anderson was particularly passionate about helping students — especially student-athletes — because he had to temporarily put his education and college basketball career on hold to earn money for school. Over the years, he and his wife, Hilda L. Anderson, established a total of three scholarship funds for student athletes.
“We are extremely grateful to Harold, Hilda and the entire Anderson family for their longtime support of Indiana University,” said Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Fred Glass. “The Andersons have left an athletic legacy. These scholarships will touch the lives of so many student-athletes. To see a former Hoosier like Harold give back in such a significant way to make dreams possible for today's generation of Hoosiers is a source of pride for all of us.”
Anderson spent his career practicing law in Anderson, Ind., for more than 60 years, and he was a respected leader and philanthropist in his community. His generosity and service extended to the IU community.
Outside of his family, Anderson credited IU for the success in his life.
“The university opened his eyes to the world and without question, gave him the tools to earn a living for his family and give back to society,” said his grandson and IU alumnus John Wiebke.
Anderson's gift to the College will be used to fund overseas study. This aligns with IU's current campaign to enhance opportunities for IU students to study and experience the wider world. In 2012, Indiana University created the School of Global and International Studies to consolidate IU's well-established global and international programs. Because the commitment to overseas study is a campaign priority, the gift qualifies for one-to-one matching income funds, effectively doubling the impact of the scholarship.
“This extraordinary gift will greatly expand the opportunities for our students to study abroad,” said Larry Singell, executive dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “Study-abroad experiences are critical to our efforts to expand the horizons of our students and prepare them for global citizenship in an increasingly interconnected world. This gift addresses a fundamental educational need for students in the College, and we are truly grateful.”
Founded in 1936, the Indiana University Foundation maximizes private support for Indiana University by fostering lifelong relationships with key stakeholders and providing advancement leadership and fundraising services for campuses and units across the university. Today, the foundation oversees one of the largest public university endowments in the country, with a market value in excess of $1.7 billion. In fiscal year 2013, IU received $305.9 million in support from the private sector. IU is consistently ranked among the top four of Big Ten universities in annual voluntary support.
Established in 1954, the Varsity Club serves as the development arm of IU Athletics. Through its fundraising efforts, the Varsity Club enables student-athletes in 24 varsity sports to receive quality academic and athletic experiences at Indiana University. Varsity Club donors support student-athletes through contributions for scholarships, facility projects, renovations and improvements.
Source: Indiana University