The University of Louisville has received a $12.6 million donation from Max Baumgardner, an investor and a retired Navy pilot. He’s a former UofL student, attending the University for two years before joining U.S. Naval Aviation and being deployed in the Korean war during the early Fifties.
What’s interesting is that the money will be equally divided between the Athletic Department and the School of Music, with both entities receiving $6.3 million apiece.
A UofL news release indicates that 10% of the gift to the Athletic Department will go to support the new Center for Academic Excellence and academic programs for athletes. The gift to the School of Music will benefit the University’s jazz music studies program.
Baumgardner thanked his friends and advisers and said he hopes his gift will inspire others to think about making a lasting impact and kicking in money of their own. “It was neat accumulating this money …,” Baumgardner said. “But it’s even neater to give it away.”
A very generous gift. Since Mr. Baumgardner is obviously a staunch UofL athletic fan and music lover, I’m wondering, actually hoping, some of this money is used to upgrade the UofL Marching Band. That would be a great tribute to him.