Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC) had a record number of first-time donors during Indiana University’s first IU Day on Tuesday, April 12.

A total of 70 first-time donors gave $5 or more during the day. Nearly 190 gifts were made to IUPUC in the 24-hour period. These gifts, plus several challenge awards, resulted in gifts totaling nearly $100,000 for the campus.

Dr. Kate Baird made a gift to endow a The Robert Baird and Albert Kagel Science Education Travel Fund. This new scholarship will provide student opportunities that are unprecedented in experiential learning and make a greater impact than classroom lectures alone. “The intent of this scholarship is to expand and actively engage the students learning experience by moving outside-the-classroom. They experience and appreciate the larger world and, as future educators, understand the importance of learning science,” explains Baird.

As part of the IU Bicentennial Campaign faculty match program, annual income from this gift will be matched by Indiana University. Over $6,000 will be available annually to support funding requests. “The positive impact of this gift will affect generations of students and educators,” says Brenda Vogel, director of development and external affairs at IUPUC.