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Campus challenged to raise $70,000 for endowment
November 14, 2003 | |||||
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KOKOMO, Ind.—Indiana University Kokomo is more than one-third of the way toward a $468,000 goal. As of November 13, $164,283 has been pledged toward an endowment for maintaining equipment used in science classes. Under the terms of a Kresge Foundation challenge grant awarded in June, IU Kokomo has until January 2005 to raise the balance. “We want to be at the $200,000 mark by the end of this calendar year,” Vice Chancellor for External Relations Nancy Dailey said October 29, during a breakfast for all campus employees. She asked administrators, faculty, staff and students to contribute toward a $70,000 campus goal. “It’s not the amount that you give that’s important, but that you participate,” Dailey said. “We are especially pleased with the response from IU Kokomo’s support and administrative staff,” Dailey said. “Many sizeable gifts have been received from them. It shows how much they care about the campus and its students.” Whether it’s faculty members staying late to prepare classes or physical plant workers toiling during school breaks, the campus community already demonstrates the sacrifice and teamwork needed to reach the endowment goal, said Lois Kurowski, Ph.D. An assistant professor of management, Kurowski serves on both the campus fund-raising committee and the project’s overall steering committee. Funding the endowment could spur additional support for IU Kokomo, she added. “Foundations talk to each other. They know which institutions are solid communities. We need to show them.” Student Government President Michael Sandy said he will propose a contribution competition in early 2004 between academic majors, emphasizing how today’s students will benefit from the new equipment. For years, students have used science equipment that dates back to the mid-1960s, when IU Kokomo built science facilities as part of its Main Building. Those labs had inadequate ventilation, recalled veteran Professor of Chemistry Phillip Haffley, Ph.D. “When we’d use the autoclave (sterilizing apparatus), we’d get complaints about the stench,” he said. Equipment shortages have often forced student to watch simulations of experiments, rather than carry out experiments themselves. Science classroom and lab space tripled when IU Kokomo opened Virgil and Elizabeth Hunt Hall in 2001. Professor of Microbiology Christian Chauret, Ph.D., said Hunt Hall is not only “much better organized” for classes, but also provides him and other faculty members room to lead students in research. However, although the state of Indiana funds buildings for public universities, it does not pay to equip those buildings. That is why the campus wants to establish the science equipment endowment, Director of Public Affairs Cathy Hightower said. “We don’t want to be in the same position [of being unable to replace equipment] in the future.” The campus fund-raising committee includes seven students (* indicates additional service on endowment project steering committee): Michael Sandy* and Sabina Kedhi of Kokomo, Tracy Edwards* of Sharpsville, Shamus Driver* of Noblesville, Wonda Elmore of Peru, and Marley Griffin and Rachael Herrell of Galveston. Faculty and staff committee members include Lois Kurowski*; Professor of Chemistry Marcia Gillette*; Physical Plant Secretary Tara Halbrook; Emeritus Professor Herb Miller*; Professor of Marketing David Rink*; Associate Professor of Economics Kathy Parkison; Coordinator of Special Facilities Christina Tanner; Library Assistant Janie Shurr; Academic Counselor in Education Ed Stipp; and Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance William Yost*. The endowment is part of a total $935,000 project, which will purchase equipment to meet current campus needs and establish a $585,000 endowment. The Kresge Science Initiative challenge grant provided $117,000 for equipment. Kresge will contribute an additional $117,000 for the endowment if private gifts for the remainder of the endowment are secured by January 2005. Other contribution goals include: • $356,000 from communities and individuals in the IU Kokomo’s 11-county service area • $60,000 from IU Kokomo board members • $215,000 from corporations and foundations Gifts and pledges can be paid in the 2003–2005 period, by check or through payroll deduction. For further information on making contributions, contact Nancy Dailey at (765) 455-9485.
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