The dean's position at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is being endowed in honor of the school's founding dean, Gene Tempel.
The endowment is a gift from several donors, including Bill and Irene Lilly McCutchen, Jim and Maureen Hackett, Bob Hartsook, an anonymous donor and others. The gift was announced during the school's "Celebration of Leadership" dinner honoring Tempel in Indianapolis last night.
In announcing the gift, Indiana University Michael A. McRobbie said, "This endowed deanship is a visible affirmation of the importance of Gene's outstanding leadership, as well as his passion for philanthropy and for serving Indiana University. It will help the school attract future deans of the highest caliber, and it will allow them to quickly and innovatively meet challenges, seize opportunities, and fulfill the mission of the school to improve philanthropy to improve the world. We offer our profound thanks to the lead donors who have helped to establish it."
As founding dean, Tempel leads the world's first school devoted to the study and teaching of philanthropy. An internationally recognized leader in philanthropy and the nonprofit sector for decades, he played an integral role in envisioning and developing the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and its precursor, the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, transforming it into a leading national resource and a model for other universities
"We are pleased to make this gift to celebrate the success the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy has already achieved in fulfilling its mission so beautifully under Gene's leadership," said Irene Lilly McCutchen who, with her husband Bill, made the lead gift for the deanship through the Ruth Lilly Philanthropic Fund.
"Gene's self-giving service is remarkable and has brought much good to the philanthropic world," McCutchen continued. "I believe the school will grow and flourish and continue to play an important role in creating positive change in our troubled communities and in difficult circumstances around the world. We hope our gift will help advance its valuable work and shape additional scholarship to shape the future of philanthropy."
Tempel announced earlier this year that he will transition from the founding dean's role to a faculty position at the end of 2014, as he had planned when he accepted the helm of the new school in 2012.
"I am honored and deeply humbled by this gift and I thank each of the donors for their extraordinary generosity and their confidence in our work," Tempel said. "This remarkable gift will ensure that future deans have the flexibility and resources to pursue new opportunities and to continue the development of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy to reach its full potential."
"The greatest legacy of Gene's brilliant career will be his contribution in establishing the discipline of Philanthropic Studies, including the first school and the first traditional Ph.D. thereby laying the foundation for study of a fundamental aspect of human life-voluntary action for the public good," said Charles R. Bantz, chancellor of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IU Indianapolis) and executive vice president of Indiana University. "And those of us who know him, know Gene demonstrates that commitment to voluntary action every day."
- Developing a cutting-edge program of research that is vital to understanding the nonprofit sector and provides translational research to strengthen nonprofit organizations.
- Expanding a new academic field of study, Philanthropic Studies, and serving as a model for other universities nationally and internationally.
- Creating the nation's first traditional Ph.D. in Philanthropic Studies; its graduates conduct research to aid nonprofits and are the first generation trained to teach in this field.
- Creating the nation's first endowed faculty chair in philanthropy and establishing nine such chairs, the largest number at any university.
- Developing The Fund Raising School into an international program that has taught in more than 40 countries and expanding its courses, which train thousands of people each year.
- Establishing Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, bringing the Women's Philanthropy Institute to Indiana University and developing them into the nation's leading resources for these areas of philanthropy.
- Convening key national nonprofit leaders and scholars to address pressing issues.
To ensure the school's future success, Tempel leads an endowment initiative that has secured more than $80 million in gifts and pledges toward a $100 million endowment goal, including receiving a $40 million endowment grant from Lilly Endowment to help permanently support the school's operations and expand knowledge about philanthropy, and receiving an approximately $10 million gift from Ruth Lilly to establish the Ruth Lilly Professorship Program, which helps recruit and retain outstanding faculty.
About the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is dedicated to improving philanthropy to improve the world by training and empowering students and professionals to be innovators and leaders who create positive and lasting change. The school offers a comprehensive approach to philanthropy through its academic, research and international programs and through The Fund Raising School, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, and the Women's Philanthropy Institute. Follow us on Twitter @IUPhilanthropy or "Like" us on Facebook.