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LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) — McNeese State has received a more than $4.3 million gift from the H.C. Drew Estate Endowment to support its new multipurpose facility.
It's the university's second largest single private gift.
University President Dr. Philip Williams said Thursday the new Health and Human Performance Educational Complex will be located near the Jack V. Doland Athletic Field House and will house programs in health and wellness, kinesiology, health performance, athletic training and sports medicine. There also will be an arena for intercollegiate volleyball and basketball games and cultural events.
"The trustees prefer to let their generosity go without fanfare," Williams said, "but we convinced them that letting us announce this gift will encourage other donors to invest in McNeese."
Since 1981, the endowment has provided funds for academic scholarships at McNeese.
"From 50 scholarships in 1981 to more than 250 this year, more than 3,200 McNeese students have directly benefited from H.C. Drew funds," said Richard Reid, vice president for university advancement and executive vice president of the McNeese Foundation.
The scholarships are given to students in fields that directly impact the economic development needs in Southwest Louisiana including agricultural sciences, engineering, computer science, nursing and health science, chemistry, biological and environmental sciences, business, education, criminal justice and wildlife management.
In 2000, the H.C. Drew Endowment for Economic Development was established with a $5.25 million gift, the largest single gift ever received by McNeese. In 2003, an additional $750,000 gift brought the total endowment to $6 million.
Harrison C. Drew, a businessman and state senator, moved to Lake Charles in 1878 and died in 1916. He asked that half his estate help provide educational opportunities for people in the Lake Charles area.
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