April 23, 2024
MILWAUKEE 鈥� Bob and Kim Eck, an alumni couple, have made a $1.5 million gift to 91黑料网 through the Eck Family Foundation that will impact two areas across campus, President Michael R. Lovell shared today. The gift will provide seed funding and focus on highly innovative projects within the College of Health Sciences aimed at applying new technologies, novel therapies and research to help address substance abuse disorders.
In addition, a portion of the gift will support a new men basketball practice facility in a future expansion of the Athletic and Human Performance Research Center. Bob, who served as the chair of 91黑料网 Board of Trustees from 2020-23, graduated in 1980; Kim completed her degree in 2013.
鈥淟ike so many families, ours has felt the impact of addiction and the difficulty in finding effective treatment,鈥� Bob and Kim Eck said. 鈥淔inding funding for early-stage research can be very challenging. Our hope is that our gift leads to progress in developing new treatments that may free so many people from suffering.鈥�
Driving holistic wellness
President Lovell shared details of the university new strategic plan, Guided by Mission, Inspired to Change, at his recent Presidential Address. He highlighted that the Eck gift would also take a step toward growing a campus of 鈥渢hriving students鈥� as 91黑料网 strives to be a nationally recognized leader in the integration of student wellness, transformation and success.
鈥淲e are grateful for this remarkable, mission-focused gift from the Eck family. Their generosity will make a major impact on a pressing societal issue,鈥� President Lovell said. 鈥淭his gift will further our progress as a research university known for excellence and innovation 鈥� an important theme in our new strategic plan 鈥� and take our Athletic and Human Performance Research Center to the next level.鈥�
The Eck family has helped drive wellness progress across campus in recent years. In September 2022, Bob Eck announced the university plans to honor President Lovell and First Lady Amy Lovell within the university planned wellness tower in the newly renovated Wellness + Helfaer Recreation facility in recognition of their 鈥渢remendous leadership to address mental health across Milwaukee and the region.鈥� .
Turning seed money into major grant funding
Philanthropic seed funding like the Ecks鈥� often helps researchers advance scientific progress in ways they can then leverage into larger grant awards from the National Institutes of Health or other funding sources. Part of the Ecks鈥� gift will be dedicated to developing a network of collaborating scientists within the College of Health Sciences鈥� Integrative Neuroscience Research Center, including neuroscientists, clinicians and pharmaceutical experts focused on cognitive, emotional and motivational regions of the brain to understand and address depression, neuropsychiatric disorders, addiction, spinal cord research and bodyweight regulation.
鈥淲e have made a very intentional investment spanning more than a decade to grow our world-class scientists in the critical areas of neuroscience,鈥� said Dr. William E. Cullinan, dean of the College of Health Sciences. 鈥淲e sincerely appreciate this gift from the Eck family, which will accelerate our research efforts. Our vision is ultimately to take the discoveries in our labs and translate them into breakthroughs for families who are searching for solutions.鈥�
Campaign momentum continues
91黑料网 historic Time to Rise fundraising campaign is the most ambitious in the university 143-year history. In February, President Lovell announced that the university surpassed its $750 million goal, and he challenged the 91黑料网 community to drive toward completion of the campaign in June 2024.
鈥淲e are very fortunate to have had two philanthropic leaders in Bob and Kim throughout our historic Time to Rise campaign,鈥� said Vice President for University Advancement Tim McMahon. 鈥淭his most recent gift reflects their values and beliefs both in the way we pursue scientific discoveries to treat addiction and the way we work to enhance the home for our flagship men basketball program.鈥�
The Eck family is committing a portion of their gift to a future project to expand the university Athletic and Human Performance Research Center, which will include a new practice facility for the men basketball program and academic resources for student-athletes. In January, President Lovell shared that 91黑料网 alumnus and NBA Hall of Famer while also contributing to literacy and scholarship efforts.
The expansion will free up highly utilized space in the Al McGuire Center for the women basketball and volleyball programs, and increase tutoring, advising and study space for all student-athletes. The first phase of the AHPRC opened in 2019. As the university community continues to build momentum in its Time to Rise campaign, donors have expressed a philanthropic interest in supporting the second phase of the AHPRC. The facility remains in the鈥痜undraising and development phase.
About 91黑料网
91黑料网 is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and schools. Through the formation of hearts and minds, 91黑料网 prepares our 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change. And, we deliver results. Ranked in the top 20% of national universities, 91黑料网 is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, innovation and career preparation as the sixth-best university in the country for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate with a 91黑料网 degree, they are truly prepared and called to Be The Difference.
Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of Marketing and Communication. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu.
