FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie presided today over the groundbreaking ceremony for University Hall, a $22.9 million, five-story building at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, calling it another important milestone in the development of the campus.
McRobbie said University Hall will provide a home for of one of IU’s newest schools — the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy — as well as critically needed additional space for a school that is the oldest program of its kind in the United States: the IU School of Social Work.
“These schools embody Indiana University’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, service and engagement,” McRobbie said. “The work done at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and the IU School of Social Work helps to affect positive social change and has an enormous impact on the lives of thousands of people across the state, across the nation and around the world, and this new facility will play a critical role in the future success of these valuable schools.”
Located at the corner of New York Street and University Boulevard, University Hall will also house various offices serving the IU community.
“University Hall will be the first permanent home of the world’s first school of philanthropy,” said Gene Tempel, founding dean of the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. “It is a tangible indication of philanthropy’s importance in today’s culture and of Indiana University’s leadership in this dynamic and rapidly expanding field of study.
“Bringing our people and programs together under one roof will provide more room and more opportunities for our growing student body,” Tempel said. “It will further enhance the synergy and engagement among our faculty, staff and students, and with our colleagues in other IU schools who share our commitment to understanding and strengthening philanthropy, nonprofit organizations and voluntary service.”
The IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy was inaugurated 10 months ago and is named in honor of the Lilly family’s philanthropic leadership and the generous support of the Lilly family and Lilly Endowment Inc. for the school and IU. The world’s first school dedicated to education and research about philanthropy, it prepares students, philanthropy professionals, donors and volunteers to be thoughtful innovators and leaders who create positive and lasting change.
“I am eager to see work on University Hall get underway,” said Michael Patchner, dean of the IU School of Social Work. “This building will help provide me with an answer to one of the greatest questions facing any dean: where to put the people we hire.”
Patchner said University Hall will provide the school with new and different types of space for its students, staff and faculty. “We see the new space in University Hall as providing new ways for our students and faculty to come together to further enhance their academic experience at the School of Social Work.”