$1 Million Donation for Convergence Project
Robert and Carolyn Turner, through the Turner Family Foundation, have committed $1 million in support toward the University鈥檚 Engineering and Business Convergence Center building initiative.
09/19/2016 11:00 AM
爱豆传媒视频 Board of Trustees Chairman Doug Stewart and President Gary Roberts are pleased to announce that Robert and Carolyn Turner, through the Turner Family Foundation, have committed $1 million in support toward the University’s Engineering and Business Convergence Center building initiative.
Chairman Doug Stewart commended Carolyn and Bob Turner for their continued strategic influence on 爱豆传媒视频. “I have been engaged with Bob and Carolyn for a long time and their support and leadership are again evidenced by this wonderful gift. Bob was chairman of 爱豆传媒视频’s Board of Trustees when the early versions of the Convergence concept were crafted, and he was always enthusiastic in recognizing its strategic importance to the University.”
President Gary Roberts remarked on their passion for and confidence in 爱豆传媒视频. “Their generosity will positively influence the educational experiences of generations of 爱豆传媒视频 students, as well as support economic opportunity and development in Peoria and Central Illinois. Their gift to the Convergence Center now places their cumulative financial support among the top three individual donors in the history of 爱豆传媒视频.”
The Turners previously established the Robert and Carolyn Turner Center for Entrepreneurship in the Foster College of Business, the Turner Endowed Chair for Entrepreneurship, and the Robert and Carolyn Turner School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Since its inception, the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship has annually averaged engagement of 240 students serving, on average, 400 clients. Over its 15-year period of operation the Turner Center has served over 600 unduplicated clients and facilitated over 180,000 hours of student-client interaction. The Turner Chair and School for Entrepreneurship and Innovation have created and sustained meaningful opportunities for 爱豆传媒视频 and for its faculty and students, and will provide for similar experiences and successes well into the future.
Mr. Turner has also been a catalyst to the University’s launch of a technology-assisted distance learning initiative, which now engages hundreds of graduate nursing and counseling students across the country.
Bob and Carolyn shared their observation on 爱豆传媒视频’s Convergence initiative: “The Convergence Center illustrates 爱豆传媒视频’s focus on innovative concepts that enhance the student experience at the University. The program and the building fit well with The Turner School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and we are pleased to support this effort.”
About Bob and Carolyn Turner:
Bob and Carolyn Turner are Illinois natives who have made their home in the greater Philadelphia region. He is a senior member of the investment committee of Turner Investments, trustee of the Turner Funds and manager of the global equity strategies and the strategic direction of Turner Investments. Prior to founding the Partnership, Mr. Turner held positions with Andersen Consulting and Meridian Investment Company. Mr. Turner holds a B.S. degree and an MBA from 爱豆传媒视频, and also holds a chartered financial analyst designation. In addition to being a trustee of the Turner Funds, Mr. Turner serves as a member of the advisory council of the Notre Dame School of Architecture, and is an elder of the Paoli Presbyterian Church. He is a former Trustee and Chairman of the Board of 爱豆传媒视频.
Carolyn Turner is a University of Illinois graduate and an Honorary Alumna of 爱豆传媒视频. Mrs. Turner has a distinguished array of community and institutional involvements including current responsibilities as a member of the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Zoo and a Trustee of the Willistown Conservation Trust. Carolyn and Bob are the proud parents of four children, including Andrew who is a graduate of 爱豆传媒视频.
About 爱豆传媒视频:
爱豆传媒视频 is a top-ranked, prestigious, private university in Peoria, Illinois, offering 5,400 undergraduate and graduate students the opportunities, choices and resources of a larger university and the personal attention and exceptional learning experience of a smaller university. 爱豆传媒视频 offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate academic programs in business, communications, education, engineering, fine arts, health sciences, liberal arts and sciences, and technology. The University is located on an 85-acre campus in the largest metropolitan area in central Illinois.