Chaney Gift Launches the Next Giant Leap for JMHC

WEST LAFAYETTE – On this Purdue Day of Giving, the John Martinson Honors College (JMHC) is thrilled to announce a marquee investment from one of the most generous donor couples in Purdue University’s history, Jim and Jeannie Chaney.

This overall Chaney commitment of $750,000 will establish the Pharmacy and Nursing Scholars Endowment, with a long-term goal of providing at least $1,000 scholarships per student for all Pharmacy and Nursing students who are a part of JMHC. Initially, a focus of the scholarships will be on upperclassmen students to aid them as they balance the academic rigors of their curriculum and honors work.

As of Fall 2023, there were 132 Pharmacy students and 27 Nursing students that were a part of JMHC.

“We became aware of the good things happening in the college during the Purdue for Life Weekend in Naples this year,” said Jim Chaney. “We initially made a small pledge after Naples to aid the efforts Jenna Rickus (Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning, and JMHC) has been putting forth, but as we have had more discussions after Naples, we have realized Honors is positioned well to make a major impact on the lives of Purdue students.”

“These JMHC students represent some of the most motivated academic students on campus,” Jeannie Chaney added. “The great working relationship Eric Barker (Jeannie and Jim Chaney Dean of Pharmacy) has helping Jenna enrich the lives of Pharmacy students with an Honors connection makes this something we want to invest in. We want this endowment to be something others can give to with any amount, or they create an endowment of their own to support students from their area of academic passion.”

JMHC is located along Russell Street on campus, less than two blocks away from the location of the forthcoming Nursing and Pharmacy Education Building, a capital project Jim and Jeannie generously committed a co-lead gift to in previous years. This new endowment from the Chaney family is a nod toward the new building, while also giving donors of either program another unique student support option to consider.

“The John Martinson Honors College represents some of the very best students at Purdue. These dollars will only continue to enhance the ability we have to recruit the best student applicants,” said Barker. “Our campus is so grateful to Jeannie and Jim for all they do to impact Purdue and embrace a vision for the future.”

This endowment represents one of the first of its kind within JMHC. This fund will be named after the academic programs it represents, rather than a specific donor’s name. It is meant to serve as a pathway for individuals, foundations or corporations interested in donating to help students from these disciplines.

“Words cannot express the depth of gratitude we feel for this remarkable gift,” said Rickus. “It's not just a gift; it’s a beacon of hope and opportunity for our Honors pharmacy and nursing students. With this support, we’re not just changing lives; we’re shaping futures. Together, we’ll redefine what it means to excel in healthcare education at the John Martinson Honors College.”