Central State has received over $7 million in contributions from philanthropist Frank Murphy, University Housing Solutions and SodexoMAGIC to support initiatives that are transforming the university, President Dr. Cynthia Jackson-Hammond announced Friday.
“These abundantly generous contributions from Frank Murphy and University Housing Solutions will significantly boost our abiding mission of providing a quality student life experience,” Jackson-Hammond said. “Together, with our growing relationship with SodexoMAGIC and our trailblazing hemp research, today’s announcements will provide a constructive and lasting impact on our campus, our community and the state of Ohio.”
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Murphy’s $2 million contribution, the largest donation in Central State’s 132-year history, is designated for endowment and will support development of the historic power plant built in 1926 into a student success center.
University Housing Solution’s $3.2 million will support construction of a 5,000-square-foot Wellness Center, which is part of a new apartment-style student housing complex.
The 103,985-square-foot complex, which is currently under construction, will accommodate about 250 students and is expected to open this fall.
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SodexoMAGIC’s $1.9 million will help update the university’s athletic facilities, replace the grass field with turf field for football and soccer, and upgrade the track to championship caliber.
New collaborations with SodexoMAGIC will also provide a new dining option for students, offer internships and educational opportunities for employees, and target new experiential learning opportunities for its students.
Lastly, Central State has become the only Ohio public university to plant seeds for hemp research, which is expected to assist farmers in their exploration of alternative crops to diversify and optimize their operations.