Purdue renames chemical engineering school after $20M gift

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue University is renaming its School of Chemical Engineering after an alumnus and his wife who donated $20 million to the school.

Purdue President Mitch Daniels on Friday announced the gift from Charles D. "Chuck" Davidson and his wife, Nancy. The school will be renamed the Charles D. Davidson School of Chemical Engineering.

Davidson received his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Purdue in 1972 before embarking on a career as an oil and gas industry executive.

Purdue says the Davidsons' gift will be through multiple endowments allocated to specific purposes.

Those include recruiting, retaining and advancing top-tier faculty, initiating new teaching and research programs and supporting graduate students.

Funding for a strategic initiative will provide financial support where it's needed most, as determined by the school's head.