At the "Campaign for Community" kickoff on March 25 in Whitewater Hall on the IU East campus, IU President Adam Herbert (right) and Purdue University President Martin Jischke unveiled a partnership that will raise $2 million toward the improvement of citizens in the region.

Herbert and Jischke announced the "Campaign for Community," for IU East and the Purdue University College of Technology to raise funds for scholarships, nursing and science laboratories, the new IU East entrepreneurship center and a new art gallery.

Herbert said that by the two universities working together, along with the community, he and Jischke are on a mission to shape the region's future, with knowledge as the new economic currency.

"The impact of this collaboration will result in lasting economic opportunities right here at home. Your commitment to this endeavor today will leave a legacy without end," Herbert said.

Jischke agreed that the partnership between the community and the two universities is unique.

"We recognize that the economic health and quality of life are linked to educational attainment," Jischke said. "Purdue University is excited to join forces with Indiana University and the community, to ensure that the region's students will still have the resources and academic preparation they will need tomorrow."

The IU East campus has not organized a capital campaign since the early 1990s, and the Purdue University College of Technology at Richmond has never had an organized fund-raising campaign. At the initial planning stage in November 2002, it was made clear by top supporters that the two universities should have a joint campaign. Stronger programs in science and business are being developed by both institutions. Changes and program growth require funding. Working together, both institutions can be a catalyst for the community.

IU East Chancellor David Fulton is urging the community to participate for the future of east central Indiana.

"This is a critical time for the destiny of our community. Times have changed," Fulton said. "We must invest in knowledge that will drive a vibrant economic future. It is important to offer educational opportunities that inspire new business growth."

The campaign has been in a silent phase since June 2004 and, to date, $1.1 million has been pledged. The campaign will formally conclude on Oct. 7 and will then ease into an on-going major gifts campaign.

"Our message to the community is that these two institutions are critical resources to the economic health and vitality of the region. Both schools exist in this location today because leaders in the community made it happen," said Fulton. "In a time when the state of Indiana struggles to keep college graduates in the state, over 65 percent of our graduates remain in the communities of this area."

"We have a mutual obligation to the region to generate valuable resources as investments for the economic future, and education is at the top of the list," he said.

Indiana and Purdue have identified four campaign priorities:

· A new entrepreneurship center: The center will be instrumental in allowing students to begin a business of their own while providing educational programming and internships. $400,000

· Laboratory equipment for the nursing and life science laboratories. $600,000

· Scholarships to sponsor students that want to attend and graduate with degrees from Indiana and Purdue universities but need financial support in order to obtain their degree. $600,000

· An art gallery and the preservation of the IU East art collection: The gallery will be constructed in Whitewater Hall.$400,000

http://www.iue.edu/campaign/index.html