Global understanding of philanthropy across borders and within cultures around the world will be significantly advanced by the creation of the Stead Family Chair in International Philanthropy at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, school officials are announcing today.
A $1.5 million gift from Jerre and Mary Joy Stead and their family through the Stead Family Foundation will establish the school's 10th endowed chair, the largest number of endowed chairs in philanthropy at any university.
The holder of the Stead Family Chair will conduct original research and translate new knowledge into improvements in the practice of international philanthropy and educate new philanthropic leaders for the international arena. The chair also will lead to new opportunities for education and training in international philanthropy at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and around the world.
To commemorate Jerre Stead's outstanding career as a philanthropist and pursuit of developing the next generation of philanthropic leaders, the school is creating the Stead Family Medal for International Philanthropy. The medal will be awarded every two years to one or more people who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and leadership in all aspects of international philanthropy and who have worked to sustain philanthropy as a globally significant force for improving communities, institutions and people.
"We extend our deepest gratitude to the Stead family for its enormous generosity," said Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie. "This gift will have a tremendous impact on the burgeoning study of international philanthropy and is consistent with the humanitarian legacy that Jerre, Mary Joy and their family have built through their philanthropic efforts."
The gift of the Stead Family Chair and the creation of the Stead Family Medal was announced at a ceremony Monday in Indianapolis, where they also received a key to the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. The Steads were joined by their granddaughter Sydney Stead, a trustee of the Stead Family Foundation.
"We invest in creating great leaders," Stead said. "This chair will support the wonderful work being done at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy."
The Stead family's support for the endowed chair will generate opportunities to establish new global partnerships and help to ensure that the school is at the forefront of the study of international philanthropy. It will attract and retain scholars with outstanding expertise in the field as well as top students and professionals interested in philanthropy around the world. Proceeds from the gift will be matched by the IU Indianapolis campus and the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy through the recently completed IMPACT campaign.
"This new endowed chair will greatly enhance and expand opportunities for our students to become the next generation of thoughtful, innovative leaders awakening generosity and inspiring change around the world," said Charles R. Bantz, chancellor of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IU Indianapolis) and executive vice president of Indiana University. "All associated with IU Indianapolis and the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy applaud the generosity of the Stead family and express our thanks for their vision and commitment to making the world a better place."
Jerre Stead is a member of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy's board of visitors, and is chairman and CEO of IHS, Inc. a global information and insight services company that employs more than 8,200 people in more than 40 countries. He has served as chairman and/or CEO of seven major national and international corporations; in addition to IHS they include AT&T Global Business Communications Systems, AT&T Global Information Solutions, NCR Japan, Square D Corporation, Ingram Micro and Legent Corporation.
Committed to sharing his time and talent with others, Stead has served on scores of corporate and nonprofit boards. Currently he chairs the Alzheimer's Research Institute and the Garrett Evangelical Seminary and is a member of the Salk Institute board. Mary Joy Stead has served on the University of Iowa's board of directors since 1999, and the couple is co-chairing a campaign for the university.
The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy has been teaching and learning actively about philanthropy in more than 40 countries around the world since its founding in 1987. Its international partnerships, teaching and research have grown exponentially in recent years.
"Interest in philanthropy is expanding rapidly all around the world. We thank the Stead family for their visionary leadership in creating this new chair. It will increase our ability to develop a new generation of philanthropic leaders prepared to succeed in a global environment and to lead and shape the new ways in which formal philanthropy is emerging in other countries and cultures," said Gene Tempel, founding dean of the school. "Jerre and Mary Joy are generous and enthusiastic givers of their time, talent and treasure. They are exceptional, exemplary philanthropists and we are grateful for their engagement with and support for this important work."
About the Stead Family Foundation
The Stead Family Foundation focuses on investments to create great leaders in religion education, business (both for profit and nonprofit) and medical research.
The Indiana University 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 or "Like" us on Facebook.