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News Release

Last modified: Monday, February 15, 2010

IUPUI's Center on Philanthropy launches undergraduate program in philanthropic studies

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 15, 2010

INDIANAPOLIS -- Students who want to make a difference in the world will be able to earn a bachelor's degree that prepares them to do so at IUPUI starting this fall, the IU Center on Philanthropy headquartered at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis announced today (Feb. 15).

A new Bachelor of Arts in Philanthropic Studies degree program was approved Friday by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and courses will be available to IUPUI undergraduates beginning with the fall 2010 semester.

"Many of today's students want an education and a career that lets them use their hearts as well as their heads," said Patrick M. Rooney, executive director of the Center on Philanthropy. "There is now a degree that will enable them to turn their passion for helping others into their profession."

Philanthropy and the nonprofit sector are becoming increasingly complex, and those who plan to work in this arena require a more sophisticated education in the field. The new program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to succeed in entry-level positions in philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. It will help them prepare for careers in fields as diverse as foundations, health care, human services, community development, education, the arts and the environment.

"This will benefit the Central Indiana community in important ways and will help build the future of the nonprofit sector nationally and locally," said Ellen Annala, president and CEO of United Way of Central Indiana. "The Center on Philanthropy is internationally recognized as the leader in philanthropy education. Students in this program will provide local nonprofits with a pipeline of employees and interns who are exceptionally well prepared to help them increase their effectiveness and strengthen their ability to serve people in our community."

The program will explore the role and impact of philanthropy and nonprofits from a variety of perspectives and subject areas. Courses will examine issues such as the ethics and values of philanthropy, giving and volunteering, philanthropy's history, fundraising for nonprofits and building civil society.

Students will have opportunities to interact with national nonprofit leaders, complete a capstone learning experience and participate in internships and service learning projects. They will learn firsthand from Center on Philanthropy experts and Indiana University's Philanthropic Studies faculty members, many of whom are among the nation's leading experts and researchers in philanthropy.

The program was developed by Dwight Burlingame, associate executive director and director of academic programs at the center, and Richard Turner, professor emeritus of English at IUPUI and former chair of the IU Philanthropic Studies faculty. The degree will be offered through the IU School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI, of which the Center on Philanthropy is a part.

"Philanthropy is such an important aspect of human society that we believe it is well worth studying in a number of ways and from a variety of perspectives. Our graduate programs in Philanthropic Studies began with that idea, and the new bachelor's degree option extends it to undergraduate students as well," said Bill Blomquist, dean of the IU School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI. "With this liberal arts foundation, graduates will be prepared to make a difference in nonprofits, public service, business or any career field and will be attractive candidates for graduate school opportunities or jobs in prestigious organizations."

The Center on Philanthropy pioneered the field of Philanthropic Studies and created the world's first Master of Arts and Ph.D. degrees in Philanthropic Studies.

"The new program will expand learning opportunities for our undergraduates and extend the range of distinctive 21st century degrees offered by IUPUI," said Charles R. Bantz, chancellor of IUPUI and executive vice president of Indiana University. "Offering a bachelor's degree in this rapidly growing field will attract many of the best, brightest and most civically engaged students from Indiana, across the nation and around the world, who in turn will make an important impact on the cultural, educational and economic growth of our community and state."

More details and application information for the Bachelor of Arts in Philanthropic Studies are available at https://www.philanthropy.iupui.edu/education/ba.aspx.

About the Center on Philanthropy

The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, a part of the Indiana University School of Liberal Arts at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, is a leading academic center dedicated to increasing the understanding of philanthropy and improving its practice worldwide through research, teaching, training and public affairs programs in philanthropy, fundraising, and management of nonprofit organizations.

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