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News Release

Last modified: Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Three recipients honored as IU Foundation "Partners in Philanthropy"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 13, 2009

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Recognizing the key role played by volunteer leaders in service and philanthropy, the Indiana University Foundation is honoring three individuals as outstanding "Partners in Philanthropy" for Indiana University.

The awards are being presented today (Oct. 13) to Leonard Goldstein of Fort Wayne, Jacqueline O'Donnell, M.D., of Indianapolis, and Don Earnhart of Indianapolis by IU President Michael A. McRobbie and IU Foundation President Gene Tempel.

According to McRobbie, "The awards pay tribute to the vital contribution of volunteers in the success of philanthropic endeavors for IU, especially at the highest levels of service. These award winners are extraordinary role models of philanthropic leadership."

"For each award," said Tempel, "the Foundation requested nominations from the entire University development community system wide. Our award winners were nominated by campuses, schools and departments that benefit from our honorees' tremendous contributions of time and talent."

The Cornerstone Award recognizes an individual who has been instrumental in the philanthropic success of a specific campaign initiative.

• Leonard (Len) Goldstein, of Fort Wayne, is a tireless public servant, dedicated to higher education, to Jewish culture, and to developing the next generation of leaders. He is a major reason why the IU Jewish Studies program at IU Bloomington has kept growing in the last decade, according to Steven Weitzman, who until recently was both former director of the IU Borns Jewish Studies program and professor of Jewish Studies and Religious Studies. Not only did Goldstein spearhead the campaign to establish an endowed chair for this department, but he and his wife also established the Leonard M. and Ruth K. Goldstein Matching the Promise Scholarship in Jewish Studies, a four-year scholarship that will initially be awarded to an incoming freshman in fall 2010. According to Goldstein, giving and volunteering is "a tradition. As a matter of fact, it's almost a requirement in Judaism. The word is 'tzedakah', and it means responsibility."

The Keystone Award is presented to an individual who has provided leadership in multiple campaigns and fundraising initiatives.

• Jacqueline O'Donnell, M.D., of Indianapolis, has an impressive 40-year affiliation with Indiana University. She and husband, Dr. Philip Merk, are both graduates of the IU School of Medicine and have actively supported IU with leadership and resources. According to Dr. Craig Brater, Dean and Walter J. Daly Professor in the IU School of Medicine and IU Vice President with Responsibility for Life Sciences, "Dr. O'Donnell is a doctor, a teacher and a fundraiser. She led the team that performed the first heart transplant at the IU Medical Center in 1981, received the Teaching Excellence Recognition Award from the IU School of Medicine in 1988, and has served as Dean's Council campaign director as well as the Council's president for four years." She is currently the chair for the campaign to establish the John and Rosemary Phillips Cardiology Fellowship. Dr. O'Donnell was also instrumental in establishing a training fellowship supporting a cardiology sub-specialty at the Krannert Institute of Cardiology. She and her husband have contributed to numerous IU schools and programs, including athletics, medicine and nursing, and are establishing the O'Donnell-Merk Scholarship at the School of Medicine. According to Dr. O'Donnell, "I do believe that being involved with philanthropy is each faculty person's responsibility. Each of us has benefited from philanthropy and we should feel a desire and obligation to replenish and increase the monetary stores for the School of Medicine."

The Herman B Wells Visionary Award recognizes a person whose lifetime commitment to philanthropy at Indiana University is extraordinary.

• Don Earnhart, of Indianapolis, is a man of great integrity, quiet passion and enormous influence. According to long-time Foundation board member and friend, Donald C. (Danny) Danielson, "Every facet of higher education has benefitted in some way from his wise, patient and sensitive touch." Earnhart has served on the IU Foundation Board for more than 40 years, as well as participated on various other university, campus and school boards and councils. An IU alum and basketball team player with a degree in business, Earnhart rose within the ranks of Inland Container Corporation to the position of vice president and treasurer. He was named the administrative trustee of the Krannert Charitable Trust where he drove the Trust's influence and support of education, the arts, youth programs, scientific and medical research and healthcare in Indiana and the Midwest. His extraordinary commitment to IU was directed across disciplines from art to athletics and from student support to buildings. His support also served to inspire others to participate. Earnhart's leadership brought significant contributions to IU's medical research facilities, the University library, the Krannert Institute of Cardiology, the Krannert Pavilion, and the University Place Hotel and Conference Center -- projects that are now the cornerstones of IUPUI campus development and beautification.

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