Richard D. and Marni Waterfield recognized for transformative support of Environmental Resources Center at Purdue Fort Wayne

Purdue University Fort Wayne is honoring major benefactors Richard D. and Marni Waterfield for their considerable efforts to help staff at PFW’s Environmental Resources Center mitigate damage to the planet and educate students to be advocates for a more sustainable environment. In honor of their multifaceted contributions, the ERC building and program will now be known as the Waterfield Environmental Resources Center.

At PFW, the Waterfield name is synonymous with altruistic initiatives and the support of student success. In addition to funding scholarships and creating the Young Scholars Academy, which Dick Waterfield continues to sponsor in collaboration with PFW and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne, the family subsidized in the early 2000s the construction of the university’s first student housing complex on what is now known as the Waterfield Campus.

With his legacy as a business leader and community benefactor firmly established at PFW and across the state, Waterfield recently chose to provide vital financial support to the ERC. This backing will primarily underwrite positions within the center’s staff structure and student internships and funds for the projects they take on. It will also support other programming or projects dedicated to developing a more sustainable environment.

"My wife, Marni, and I are very pleased to be able to assist PFW, our community, and our planet in this manner,” Waterfield said. “We are hopeful that many students will take advantage of these internships to become environmental activists in their chosen careers, and that this field of study will thrive alongside the ERC's existing programs."

The center’s origins on campus date back to 2000. Its mission is to promote the understanding and conservation of the natural resources of the region via scientific research, educational opportunities, and outreach. Through programming such as the annual Conservation Conversation, team members interact with the general public in a variety of ways, including educational outreach events, community engagement, and social media.

“For decades, the Waterfield family has helped shape the growth and success of Purdue Fort Wayne,” said Chancellor Ron Elsenbaumer. “This transformative gift to what will now be known as the Waterfield Environmental Resources Center reflects their deep commitment to student success, sustainability, and the future of our region. Their leadership sets a powerful example of how philanthropy can drive progress.”

The Waterfield ERC is one of 15 centers of excellence at PFW. It is based out of the College of Science and led by Bruce Kingsbury, its director and a professor emeritus in the Department of Biological Sciences.

"It has been wonderful to have the support of the Waterfields over the years, and this gift cements their commitment to us, the environment, and to the students who will be leading us into the future,” Kingsbury said. “Their support provides the foundation we need to pursue our mission of educating the campus and community about sustainability and environmental protection." 

Situated near the St. Joseph River on PFW’s Main Campus, a majority of the center’s activities throughout its history have been research-oriented and focused on the ecology of imperiled animals and plants, their habitats, and on management practices that promote a prosperous landscape.

As a result of the Waterfield gift, staff-led learning opportunities related to sustainability can now be expanded.  

“We want to pave the way for others to establish new and creative avenues of student and community engagement that complement what the ERC already does exceptionally well,” Waterfield said.

Contact Kingsbury at [email protected] or visit pfw.edu/erc to learn more.