As demand for talent in STEM fields continues to grow, there is an opportunity to attract students to pursue a STEM education and career in Indiana – which would help strengthen the state’s economy.  

That is why, in 2010, Butler University established the Sciences Expansion and Renovation Project, a three-phase expansion and renovation of the university’s sciences complex to support 21St century student learning and innovation. With high-tech classrooms, new lab spaces, and collaborative work areas, the university aims to increase enrollment, create new science programs, and meet the growing demand for STEM talent.  

The Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation has awarded $13 million to Butler University to support the project since 2013. This work aligns with the Foundation’s focus on bolstering the vitality of Indianapolis through increased STEM talent and honors Dick Fairbanks’ legacy as a trustee at Butler University.

Additional Posts

The FDA Plans to Limit Nicotine in Cigarettes—Will That Lower Smoking Rates?

Alex Cohen is the Director of Learning and Evaluation for the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation. The dangers of smoking are well-known. Smokers are more likely to die from lung cancer, heart disease, lung disease and other deadly illnesses, not to mention the health risks caused by secondhand smoke exposure or the impacts to newborns caused […]

Fairbanks Foundation’s Commitment to Improving Academic Outcomes and Closing the Skills Gap in Indianapolis: A Review of Grantmaking Focused on Education From November 2015 to September 2019

Claire Fiddian-Green is the President & CEO of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation. A well-educated population is critical to the vitality of Indianapolis and the continuing global competitiveness of the city and our state. Unfortunately, too many K-12 students in Indianapolis do not demonstrate proficiency in core academic subjects such as math, science and reading. […]