Park University Receives $1.8 Million from Three KC Area Foundations for Plaster Center Project

Sept. 18, 2018 — Park University announces that a trio of Kansas City area family foundations have made recent gifts totaling $1.8 million toward a new building to house the University’s School of Business.

Providing significant contributions for the project are: the Sunderland Foundation, Overland Park, Kan., with a $1 million gift; and the Goppert Foundation, Kansas City, Mo., with a $300,000 gift. In addition, a gift of $500,000 was provided by a Kansas-based foundation that wishes to remain anonymous.

“We are excited to have the support of such influential Kansas City family foundations,” said Peter deSilva, president of retail distribution for TD Ameritrade and the chair of the University’s fundraising campaign committee for the building. “The backing of these foundations is a testament to the importance of this project and the impact that Park University has on the workforce in the region.”

With more than $4.2 million in total commitments for the project and continued fundraising, groundbreaking for the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center on the University’s flagship campus in Parkville is anticipated by summer 2019.

Along with classroom and office space for the School of Business, the Plaster Center will include a state-of-the-art finance lab, a special innovation and entrepreneurship lab, video production studio and lounge for commuter students. In addition, the building will be the new home for the Park Global Warrior Center, which assists service members and veterans transitioning in and out of the military.

The Plaster Center, planned to be built on the east side of the University’s main entrance, is expected to encompass 20,500 square feet when completed.

For more information or to support the building project, contact Nathan Marticke, associate vice president for university advancement, at nathan.marticke@park.edu / (816) 584-6844.