$8M gift marks largest in history for College of Architecture, Planning & Design at Kansas State University
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
MANHATTAN — Kansas State University's College of Architecture, Planning & Design, or APDesign, has announced an $8 million gift — the largest gift in the college's history.
According to APDesign Dean Tim de Noble, the alumnus and spouse, longtime Kansans, were positively impacted by their higher education and desire to help others achieve. The funds, to arrive through their estate in the future, will be invested with an expected distribution of about $400,000 annually.
A majority of annual distributions will support full-ride scholarships for Kansas students with financial need and a minimum 3.5 grade point average in at least their third year of study in the College of Architecture, Planning & Design. The donors, who asked to remain anonymous, also designated a portion of the distributions to support the dean's excellence fund, which provides flexibility to the college's leader to address emerging opportunities and priorities.
"Our drive toward academic excellence is fueled by alumni and friends," de Noble said. "Our margin of excellence in scholarship, teaching, and facilities will be dramatically advanced by such a transformational gift. We are truly grateful for this investment in the college and the impact it will have now and in the future."
The gift is a part of Kansas State University's $1 billion Innovation and Inspiration Campaign, which includes a $28 million goal for the College of Architecture, Planning & Design. Philanthropic priorities for the college include excellence funding, student success, faculty development and $13.5 million in private support for the Seaton Complex revitalization and expansion, currently underway. To date, the college has secured private commitments of over $8 million in funding for the project, which will renovate 80,000 square feet and add 114,000 square feet of adjoining new construction.
Philanthropic contributions to Kansas State University are coordinated by the Kansas State University Foundation. The KSU Foundation was established in 1944 as the official fundraising arm of Kansas State University. It is a separate, independent entity chartered by the state of Kansas as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit education corporation. The foundation is leading the $1 billion Innovation and Inspiration Campaign, which has recorded gifts of more than $850 million thus far to advance Kansas State University.
