$65M gift heats up Purdue donations

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - A Purdue college is now home to the largest donation from individuals in the University’s history.

Monday, Purdue announced the College of Agriculture got an anonymous estate gift valued at $65 million in today’s dollars.

"This gift is a tremendous vote of confidence for all of Purdue and our College of Agriculture," Purdue President Mitch Daniels said. "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."

Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture Jay Akridge also stressed the magnitude of the gift.

"This is truly a transformational gift, which will dramatically enhance our ability to make a difference for the people of Indiana, our country and the world,” Akridge said.

He mentioned the donors want to remain nameless and provided the college with flexibility in how it will use the funds.

"Their 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," he said.

"This donor will make an incredible investment in Purdue Agriculture because they believe in our ability, both today and in the future, to deliver on a research, education and Extension mission that addresses our most pressing real-world problems with real-world solutions."

Purdue Vice President for Development Lisa Calvert said the gift is a big thumbs-up at the leadership of the University.

“The donors made the gift in support of Mitch Daniels in his new role as president," she said. "Since the announcement of a new administration in June, there has been an increase in broad base support, including the total number of donors and dollars raised, resulting in a new energy in philanthropy."

University officials announced in addition to this, $22 million in gifts and University matching funds has created 13 new endowed professorships as part of the Faculty Excellence Challenge Match launched last year. These professorships are crucial to recruiting and retaining excellent faculty members.

Purdue Agriculture, which is home to two World Food Prize laureates since 2007, is internationally known for strong academic, research and Extension programs that are at the forefront of sustainable and dynamic agricultural, food and natural resource innovations.