By Greg Halbleib
NORMAL – Illinois State University celebrated its annual Founders Day with the announcement of a large gift from two long-time faculty members.
The university announced Carson and Iris Varner have donated $1 million to the College of Business International Business Institute, which will be named in their honor.
The Varners founded Illinois State’s international business program, which remains the only such program among the state’s public universities.
The Varners have made several other donations to the university, including the bell used during Founders Day activities.
The gift is part of the $150 million Redbird Rising: The Campaign for Illinois State.
During the Founders Day convocation later Thursday afternoon, ISU President Larry Dietz referred to the day’s activities as opportunities to tell many about the university.
“Whether we are recruiting students, updating alumni, informing donors or persuading lawmakers and opinion leaders, we all speak the same fluent language, and that’s Redbird language,” Dietz said. “We are experienced at telling the Illinois State story.”
Dietz said Founders Day provides opportunities to showcase the university’s achievements and advantages.
“We stick to success stories like the Metrics of Excellence, which include our innovative academic programs, the diversity and engagement of our students, our top tier retention and graduation rates, and the outstanding career success of our graduates,” Dietz said.
Illinois State University student radio station WZND contributed to this story.
Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].
