ISU receives $2 million pledge for School of Music and Student Philanthropy Organization
Don Dudine, an Indiana State University alumnus and past chair of the ISU Foundation Board, has pledged $2 million for the School of Music and the Student Philanthropy Organization.
“Each individual has their own passion for giving back to Indiana State University, now and in the future,” Dudine said. “For me personally, there are three: the quality students graduating from ISU who meet the needs of communities in Indiana, my witnessing of the ISU Foundation to carry out each donor’s wishes, and the university’s commitment to seeing that deserving students get the help they need to graduate.”
Said ISU President Dr. Deborah J. Curtis: “We are extremely grateful to Don Dudine for his generous support of our School of Music and Student Philanthropy Organization. Don has made an indelible mark on ISU, not only through his gifts to the university but with his service as a past chair of the ISU Foundation Board of Directors. His generosity will impact Sycamore students for generations to come.”
The School of Music will receive $1.5 million for the Don Dudine School of Music Endowed Fund to advance the success and achievements of music and band students, recruitment, and activity resources. The gift will assist music students in recruitment trips to high schools known for strong band programs as part of their annual performance schedules. The gift will help students who are not music majors to participate in Marching Band.
“Don Dudine has been a tremendous supporter and booster of our band programs and School of Music not only with this and other financial gifts he’s generously given, but as a true friend to our students and faculty,” said Director of the School of Music Ted Piechocinski. “His training and experiences at ISU obviously prepared him for not only his success as an Indiana music educator, but as a creative and very successful business entrepreneur.
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The other $500,000 of the gift has been named the Don Dudine ISU Student Philanthropy Initiatives Endowed Fund and will be given to the Student Philanthropy Organization (SPO). The SPO’s mission is to promote the importance of giving back and actively engaging students to form a culture of philanthropy at ISU.
“The generosity that Don Dudine continues to show toward the Student Philanthropy group has blessed our organization beyond measure,” said Miah Ferran, 2022-23 SPO President. “To know someone has trust and faith in our mission is an amazing feeling. We are proud to say he supports us; he is a prime example of what it means to Be So BOLD.” The donation will be used to provide operational and programmatic support for the SPO and will ensure the further development of strong academics, community service and philanthropic mindsets.
“Through his gift commitment, Don is impacting the lives of students with a love for music and also those with a passion for philanthropy,” said Andrea Angel, Vice President of University Advancement and CEO of the ISU Foundation. “Don’s bold vision for the School of Music and the Student Philanthropy Organization should inspire us all to find a cause and be steadfast in its furtherance.”
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