Three Big Ten schools this week announced good news around their fundraising efforts. Here’s a look at announcements from Purdue, Illinois and Michigan State:
Purdue University
The Purdue Boilermakers on Thursday announced that the school’s athletic department’s annual scholarship fund surpassed $9 million for the first time in school history.
Since reaching $6.5 million just three years ago, John Purdue Club members have helped set new annual scholarship fund records every year. The John Purdue Club strives to account for the entire student-athlete scholarship bill at $12.5 million annually. The organization encourages Boilermakers everywhere to join as members to support the nation's best student-athletes.
"We are fortunate to have as passionate and loyal of a fan base as exists anywhere in the country," said vice president and director of athletics Mike Bobinski. "Our John Purdue Club members have, once again, risen to the occasion. We remain ever grateful for their support and know that breaking this record will help provide the resources needed for our student-athletes to do the same on the fields of competition this year." – Purdue University
Michigan State University
Building on the rich tradition of Michigan State ice hockey and expanding on its future, MSU Athletics announced $1.5 million gift to the Munn Ice Arena expansion project from former Spartan Hockey player Gary Harpell and his wife Joanne Harpell.
"This generous gift from the Harpells gives a vital assist to Spartan Hockey for the ongoing and long-awaited renovation of one of MSU's most storied sports facilities," said MSU President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D. "Gary's experience is a great example of the important influence being a student-athlete has had on many Spartans' lives." – Michigan State University
University of Illinois
University of Illinois men's basketball alumnus Steve Lanter has donated $2.5 million to the Ubben Basketball Complex expansion and renovation project. The men's basketball locker room and ready room at State Farm Center, as well as the new head men's basketball coach's office at Ubben, will be named for Lanter's gift.
"I grew up as a kid from a small town in southern Illinois, who followed the Illini from childhood. I often think back on my decision to attend Illinois and know my life was forever enriched based on my student-athlete experiences at Illinois," Lanter said. – University of Illinois
