University of Indianapolis Announces $4.1 Million Legacy Gift from Christel DeHaan Family Foundation
INDIANAPOLIS— The University of Indianapolis announced today that it was the beneficiary of a legacy grant from the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation, totaling more than four million dollars. The grant will support the university’s Center for Global Engagement ($3,000,000) as well as the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center ($1,122,000).
“It is hard to measure the impact that Christel DeHaan has had on the University of Indianapolis,” said University of Indianapolis President, Dr. Tanuja Singh. “Her gifts have benefited the university in the most impactful ways that are especially meaningful today. From generous personal contributions to the University to gifts made through the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation and the Endless Success Foundation, almost every facet of University life has been touched by Christel, and we are honored to have been selected by the Foundation for this Legacy Grant to help support the two areas that she supported greatly over the years, the arts and international engagement.”
Christel DeHaan Center for Global Engagement
The grant will create an endowed fund which will support the mission, vision, and operations for the now-named Christel DeHaan Center for Global Engagement (CDCGE). The CDCGE is home to the University’s International Admissions Office, Office of Study Abroad, International Partnerships, and Office of International Student and Scholar Services.
The CDCGE is the University’s premier path to creating globally conscious leaders who will solve the challenges facing our world as we strive to create a more just and equitable world one student at a time. At the University of Indianapolis, we believe an immersive cultural experience contributes to the formation of a solid foundation and is critical for the development of life skills which strengthen all academic degree programs. In addition to connecting historical locations with modern day study, the Center also provides service-learning trips across the world rendering aid where needed. The CDCGE provides orientation programs, workshops, immigration services and other advising to ensure the success of international students and scholars who have chosen the University of Indianapolis to be their temporary home away from home. Currently, the Center serves nearly 300 Greyhound students from around the world representing nearly 70 countries.
Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center Enhancement Fund
The legacy grant will also create the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center Enhancement Fund. This is an endowed fund which will support the mission, vision, operations and maintenance for the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center in perpetuity.
The Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center is the primary home of the departments of Music and Art/Design. Over 200 art and music majors study, rehearse, and create in its spaces daily, and nearly every undergraduate student spends significant time in the space, fulfilling University core requirements in the arts, and attending live events. The CDFAC welcomes hundreds of visitors weekly—physically and virtually—to gallery shows, concerts, student presentations, and other arts programming.
The centerpiece of the building is the Ruth Lilly Performance Hall, a 502-seat Viennese-style auditorium with live streaming and, via fiber-optic connection with WICR, broadcasting capability. In addition to presenting around 150 music events annually, the hall also serves as the site for 25-30 University-wide events including University lecture series events, School of Nursing white coat ceremonies, and full faculty meetings.
The Center will continue to thrive with the support of the Endowment Fund, established by Christel DeHaan to ensure future generations of artists at UIndy have a creative space to develop and showcase their craft and to provide a community space in which the arts can continue to be celebrated for years to come.
Philip Thornton, Vice President for Advancement at the University of Indianapolis added, “Thank you to Christel DeHaan and to the DeHaan Family Foundation for their immeasurable support of the University of Indianapolis. We look forward to utilizing this gift to support the vision and the legacy of Christel DeHaan at the University, which goes back more than 30 years.”
Christel DeHaan served on the University Board of Trustees from 1990 to 2008. During her tenure, she also served as Board Chair and was awarded an honorary doctorate degree by UIndy in 1993. Christel’s service spanned three separate presidencies and her presence was a constant during a period of growth for the University. Her impact is on display almost everywhere on campus – from the beautification of Smith Mall, to the creation of programs and scholarship opportunities inside our School of Education, the Center for Aging and Community, scholarships for students from Christel House Academy to attend the University, and of course the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center.
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About The Christel DeHaan Family Foundation
The Christel DeHaan Family Foundation (CDFF) was founded in 1993 as the RCI Foundation, before reorganizing into a private family foundation in 1997. Since 1997, CDFF Board Members have overseen grants in excess of $60 million to arts, education, child welfare and human need organizations. Throughout its history, the Foundation has refined its giving strategies and operations to optimize its support provided to arts and cultural organizations. Annually, the Board approves approximately $2 million in grants.
About the University of Indianapolis
The University of Indianapolis, founded in 1902, is a private university located just a few minutes from downtown Indianapolis. The University is ranked among the top National Universities by U.S. News and World Report, with a diverse enrollment of 5,000 undergraduate, graduate and continuing education students. The University offers a wide variety of study areas, including 100+ undergraduate degrees, more than 40 master’s degree programs and five doctoral programs. More occupational therapists, physical therapists and clinical psychologists graduate from the University each year than any other state institution. With strong programs in engineering, business, and education, the University of Indianapolis impacts its community by living its motto, “Education for Service.” Learn more: uindy.edu.