Donors recognized for Richard T. Doermer School of Business Building

FORT WAYNE, Ind.—Purdue University Fort Wayne today recognized the generous contributions of the Doermer Family Foundation, the Purdue Fort Wayne Foundation, and two anonymous donors at an open house in the new Richard T. Doermer School of Business building.

A combined donation of $2.8 million from the donors supported the recent purchase of the Park 3000 building, which will now be known as the Richard T. Doermer School of Business building. Purdue University’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted to approve the new name for the building at its meeting last Friday, August 2, in West Lafayette.

During today’s event in the new building, Purdue Fort Wayne’s Chancellor Ron Elsenbaumer helped unveil renderings of how the new name will appear on the building’s façade.

“We are delighted to acknowledge the repeated support for our university by the Doermer Family Foundation,” said Chancellor Elsenbaumer. “We are proud to have the Doermer name not only on our business school, but also on this building. This new facility, indeed a new South Campus, represents significant growth and expansion for the university, as well as our unwavering commitment to providing a first-rate education for our students.”

Doermer, who was a long-time Fort Wayne business leader, community supporter, and philanthropist, passed away in 2010 after a long career in the banking industry. He believed that a solid education in all facets of business was vital to succeeding. “Partnerships between business schools and local businesses are extremely beneficial to both parties—students get first-hand knowledge in a ‘real-world’ setting and the hosting business knows if it hires those students, the money will have been well spent,” he once said.

The university also recognized the Purdue Fort Wayne Foundation for its continued support of high-priority projects and initiatives at the university. The foundation’s investments symbolize how funds donated to the university remain in Fort Wayne to benefit our students, faculty, staff, and community.

Guests and members of the media at the open house were given tours of the building, which is expected to be occupied by the Doermer School of Business and several administrative offices in summer 2020.

For additional information, contact Susan Alderman, at 260-481-6165 (office), 260-489-5349 (cell), or [email protected].

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