STATE UNIVERSITIES
SVSU raises $28 million during fundraising campaign
The Saginaw Valley State University Foundation exceeded its $25 million goal during the “Talent. Opportunity. Promise.” campaign, raising $28 million and making it the largest fundraising effort in university history. SVSU received a $5 million gift (the largest single donation in the school’s history) from the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation to create the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow STEM Scholars Network. Other gifts include funding for the Vitito Global Leadership Institute, the Harvey Randall Wickes Endowed Chair in Nursing, and more.
WMU opens newly renovated Heritage Hall
Western Michigan University’s historic East Hall underwent major renovations, and has recently reopened as the new Heritage Hall. The renovated facility is home to the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, conference rooms, a ballroom and history displays from the university’s archives.
MSU to lead $5.8M USAID grant research
Michigan State University has been awarded a $5.8 million cooperative agreement from the U.S. Agency for International Development. Partnering with the University of Minnesota, the grant will support MSU’s research for the improvement of potato production in Bangladesh and Indonesia. The grant supports USAID’s work under Feed the Future — the U.S. government’s global hunger and food security initiative.
PEER INSTITUTIONS
Rutgers dedicates new Food, Nutrition, and Health Institute
Rutgers University has dedicated the New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health (IFNH). The facility will be a center for interdisciplinary research aimed at making New Jersey a healthier state. The institute is supported by a $10 million grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, $10 million from an anonymous donor, and $35 million from the state’s Building Our Future Bond Act of 2012.
Northwestern receives $6.5M gift to support computer science
Northwestern University received a $6.5 million donation from alumnus Dennis H. Chookaszian and his wife, Karen. The gift will establish the Chookaszian Family Program in Computer Science. With the number of computer science majors at Northwestern more than tripling in the last five years, the program will support initiatives to grow and strengthen the computer science program at the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science.
