UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA—OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY RELATIONS (701) 777-6571 www.und.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—Friday, October 2, 2009--UND College of Business and Public Administration receives $10 million gift

The University of North Dakota College of Business and Public Administration (CoBPA) received from an anonymous donor its largest gift ever—the $10 million gift also is among the largest given to the University of North Dakota through the UND Foundation. Established as a Challenge Grant, the donation could have a $40 million impact on the CoBPA.

“I have a personal belief in the power of philanthropy and the educational and economic impact it can have in North Dakota,” said the anonymous donor. “At the College of Business and Public Administration there is an energy and excitement that I feel will make a global impact. Establishing the gift as a Challenge Grant is my way of not only supporting the College, but encouraging others to do the same.”

UND President Robert O. Kelley said, “This is an amazing commitment that will have a significant, long-standing impact on the College of Business and Public Administration. As donors collaborate with us and our philanthropic partner we’ll be able to move this college from great to exceptional.”
 
In the last 15 months, new endowments totaling $5.6 million have been established and matched by the grant. This includes a $3.3 million gift, the second largest ever to the CoBPA through the UND Foundation, from Greg, ’73, and Cindy Page, ’75, of Wayzata, Minn. With a matching gift of $1.1 million from the Challenge Grant, the impact of this gift is $4.4 million for the CoBPA. The Greg and Cindy Page College of Business and Public Administration Endowment will fund student scholarships, programs and endowed faculty within the CoBPA.

Also included in the more than $18 million in new commitments are gifts from the Paul Bolton, ’22, Estate, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Gayle, ’65, and the late Tom Clifford, ’42, ’48, HON ’00, Grand Forks; Dottie Dekko, ’50, Excelsior, Minn.; Patrick, ’71, ’72, and Mary Dirk of Newport Beach, Calif.; Jeff, ’90, and Cathy Gendreau, ’89, Andover, Minn.; Phil, ’82, and Patricia Gisi, ’82, Grand Forks; Henry, ’68, ’71, and Judy Herr, Monteagle, Tenn.; Marilyn Lundberg, ’61, Grand Forks; and Richard, ’69, ’76, and Eunice Peters, Chanhassen, Minn.

Tim O’Keefe, executive vice president and CEO of the UND Alumni Association and UND Foundation said, “Each of these donors exemplifies what it means to be a philanthropist. They have a genuine interest and desire to support their alma mater. Their generous gifts will have a momentous impact on the future of the College of Business and Public Administration, and for that we are eternally grateful.”

The Challenge Grant will be considered for new endowments established with the UND Foundation to fund scholarships, faculty or program initiatives for the benefit of the College. A minimum commitment of $25,000 will establish an endowment.

In addition to the Challenge Grant, Rod Burwell, ’60,’61, and his wife, Barbara, also recently made a $2 million investment to fund the Burwell Endowed Chair in Entrepreneurship. Because of the Burwell’s commitment, the College was able to hire Dr. Larry Pate, a champion in his field.

“There are so many programs and places at UND that wouldn’t be here without private giving … this benefits a lot of people who will make a difference in the world,” said Rod Burwell, ’61, ’62.

“The generosity of our alums is second to none. Their commitment ensures success for future generations of students, faculty and staff. I am proud to be a leader within this esteemed College that has so many dedicated alumni and friends,” said Dennis Elbert, dean of the College of Business and Public Administration.

The UND Foundation, an independent non-profit organization, raises and manages funds that secure a strong future for UND and its students, faculty and alumni. A sister corporation to the UND Alumni Association, the UND Foundation was established in 1978 with assets of approximately $1 million. As of June 30, 2009, the total assets are over $178 million. The UND Alumni Association has a membership of more than 109,000 graduates, former students and friends, and conducts a comprehensive program of alumni relations throughout the nation. The UND Alumni Association and the UND Foundation are independent, nonprofit corporations. They are recognized among the most successful independent organizations for any public college or university of UND’s size in the nation.
#
--30—

Contacts
Leanna Ihry, media relations coordinator
Editor, Alumni Review
UND Alumni Association
(701) 777-0831
leannai@undalumni.net

Juan Pedraza
Office of University Relations
(701) 777-6571 (office) (701) 740-1321 (cell)
juanpedraza@mail.und.edu