The University of Indianapolis seal inside Esch Hall in Indianapolis. The university recieved a $4.1 million gift from Christel DeHaan Family Foundation.
Photo provided by UIndy
The University of Indianapolis is the beneficiary of a more than $4.1 million legacy grant from the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation, the university announced Wednesday.
Of the roughly $4.1 million grant, $3 million will support the university’s Center for Global Engagement, and about $1.1 million will support the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, according to a news release.
Christel DeHaan served on UIndy’s Board of Trustees from 1990 to 2008, also serving as board chair during her tenure. She was awarded an honorary doctorate degree by the university in 1993, the news release says.
DeHann’s impact can be seen throughout the university — from the beautification of Smith Mall, to the creation of programs and scholarship opportunities inside UIndy’s School of Education, the Center for Aging and Community, scholarships for students from Christel House Academy to attend the university and the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, the news release says.
“It is hard to measure the impact that Christel DeHaan has had on the University of Indianapolis,” said Dr. Tanuja Singh, UIndy’s president. “Her gifts have benefited the university in the most impactful ways that are especially meaningful today. … [W]e 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.”
For the now-named Christel DeHaan Center for Global Engagement, or CDCGE, the grant will support mission, vision and operations for the university. The center is home to UIndy’s International Admissions Office, Office of Study Abroad, International Partnerships and Office of International Student and Scholar Services, according to the news release.
Right now, the center serves nearly 300 UIndy students from around the world representing nearly 70 countries, university officials say.
A new fund will also be created by the grant — the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center Enhancement Fund. University officials say the endowed fund will support the mission, vision, operations and maintenance for the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center in perpetuity.
The Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, or CDFAC, is the primary home of UIndy’s departments of music, as well as art and 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, according to the news release.
The CDFAC welcomes hundreds of visitors weekly — both 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 broadcasting capabilities, according to the news release.
“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,” said Philip Thornton, vice president for advancement at UIndy.
