Posted on February 21, 2013

Purdue University Receives $65 Million Estate Gift, $22 Million in Other Gifts

Purdue University has announced an anonymous estate gift valued at $65 million to its College of Agriculture, as well as gifts and matching funds totaling $22 million to create thirteen new endowed professorships as part of its Faculty Excellence Challenge Match.

The unrestricted estate gift, the largest from an individual or individuals in the university's history, will support Purdue's efforts to provide its students with an exceptional education, discover knowledge that stretches the frontiers of science and provides solutions to societal challenges, and help the people of Indiana and the global community improve their lives and livelihoods. "[The donors'] wishes are that this future funding be used in the best possible way to build on Purdue Agriculture's tradition of excellence and to ensure that we enhance that excellence in all we do going forward," said Jay Akridge, the Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture at Purdue.

"This gift is a tremendous vote of confidence for all of Purdue and our College of Agriculture," said Purdue president Mitch Daniels. "Their generosity will enhance Purdue Agriculture's ability to educate future generations of food and agricultural leaders and scientists, make the discoveries that improve and save lives, and ensure those discoveries make it into the hands of the people who need them."