Kansas State University received its largest private donation in school history, Friday. The family of longtime patron, Jack Vanier, donated $60 million for a range of academic programs and athletic development.
"Kansas State has always been a very important part of our lives," the Vanier family said in a statement. "Our hope is this will inspire others to make their investments in this great university."
Out of the $60 million, $40 million will be used for students, faculty, programs and facilities purpose on the Manhattan and Salina campuses.
It will be used to fund student scholarships and fellowships in the College of Technology and Aviation, the College of Business Administration and the Biosecurity Research Institute; gift for the K-State Proud Student Opportunity Awards; and faculty professorships and fellowships in the College of Human Ecology and the Biosecurity Research Institute.
The donation will also be used for the Biosecurity Research Institute and K-State Welcome Center as well.
The remaining $20 million will be invested for Phase III of the Bill Snyder Family Stadium master plan.
"The entire K-State family joins me in thanking Jack and Donna, and their children... for this transformational gift that will benefit the students of Kansas State for generations to come," President Kirk Schulz said.
Fred Cholick, president and CEO of the KSU Foundation, said that the donation will have a huge impact on both academics and athletics.
This is not the first major donation by the Vanier family. They have made gifts for the renovation of the Bill Snyder Family Stadium and to endow the football head coaching position, BND.com reports.
