When Marc (ME’81) and Susan (HHS’80) Fooksman toured the Academic Success Building last fall, they knew they wanted to support the facility and Purdue’s growth in Indianapolis.
“I was really impressed with what Purdue is doing,” says Marc. “I think the urban setting provides an additional option for students who might prefer a city environment, and the building is the anchor of what’s going on in Indianapolis.”
The Academic Success Building—planned to open in the spring of 2027—will include 248,000 square feet of state-of-the-art facilities intended to be a place where students can live, learn, and launch their careers. It will house 15 floors of residential areas, learning centers, and an admissions center that will serve as an inviting first stop for prospective students and their families.
Supporting Purdue’s vision for Indianapolis is something the Fooksmans encourage—as it creates an experience that ensures giant leaps can happen anywhere.
“Most of us alumni went to West Lafayette for our degrees, so we don’t really know what’s going on down in Indianapolis,” says Marc. “But taking that tour and seeing it for ourselves made us want to support the project.”
The Fooksmans aren’t new to staying connected with the Old Gold and Black. As alumni, the two make sure to return to campus for sporting events. Marc has also become more involved with the School of Mechanical Engineering—where he earned his bachelor’s degree—as a judge for the senior design class.
“I’ve come back twice now and get to talk to students about what the judges look for in terms of projects and also provide career advice for students getting ready to enter the workforce,” Marc says.
The Fooksmans have also set up a scholarship within the School of Mechanical Engineering that they support on an annual basis. With the scholarship, Illinois Tool Works matches three dollars to every one dollar the Fooksmans donate to help generate more opportunities for students.
“My mechanical engineering degree from Purdue opened a lot of doors for me throughout my career,” says Marc. “So, when Susan and I became able to support the university through philanthropy, we wanted to make sure students received the same opportunities we did, so that one day they can also give back to the next generation of Boilermakers.”
—Keagan Slocum
