Elmhurst University receives $1.5M gift for business school professorship and scholarships

An anonymous donor’s gift to Elmhurst University will establish an endowed professorship and a scholarship benefiting the university’s School of Business and its students.

The donor, a member of the Elmhurst University Board of Trustees, made an estate commitment of more than $1.5 million to establish the professorship and will fund the $150,000 scholarship with ongoing gifts.

“We are thrilled to recognize this outstanding gift from one of our trustees,” Elmhurst University President Troy D. VanAken said in a news release. “This commitment from a leader who cares so deeply about this institution will benefit our students for years to come, both through direct scholarship support and by ensuring the finest educational experience.”

The proceeds will be available for the university’s School of Business to address its greatest needs. The school includes programs in accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, business intelligence and analytics, and logistics and supply chain management. The endowed scholarship will be awarded to undergraduate students in the business school.

“Because the school has many options for growth, I want to give them the flexibility to expand programs and opportunities,” the anonymous donor told the university. “I think so highly of Elmhurst and its focus on being student centered. Faculty and staff provide students with dedicated guidance and remarkable educational, research and internship opportunities.”

Endowed professorships help attract and retain faculty. Once funded, the business school professorship would be awarded to a faculty member to support their scholarly activities.

“By investing in both student scholarships and an endowed professorship, this generosity will expand opportunity, strengthen academic excellence and leave a lasting legacy,” said Siaw-Peng Wan, co-dean of the School of Business, in the release.

rwest@dailyherald.com