Donations Set New Business School Building in Motion at Park

Three donations from area foundations, totaling $1.8 million, will go toward construction of a new home for the school of business at Park University, the university announced today.

Leading the way was the Overland Park-based Sunderland Foundation with a $1 million gift, joined by an anonymous foundation’s gift of $500,000 and $300,000 from the Goppert Foundation in Kansas City, Mo., the university said in a news release.

“We are excited to have the support of such influential Kansas City family foundations,” said Peter deSilva, former CEO of UMB Bank in Kansas City, now president of retail distribution for TD Ameritrade. He chaired Park’s  fundraising campaign committee for the building. “The backing of these foundations is a testament to the importance of this project and the impact that Park University has on the work force in the region.”

With more than $4.2 million in total commitments for the project and continued fundraising, groundbreaking for the 20,500-square-foot Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center on the Parkville campus is anticipated by summer 2019. Along with classroom and office space for the School of Business, the Plaster Center will include a finance lab, a special innovation and entrepreneurship lab, video production studio and lounge for commuter students.

The building also will be the new home for the Park Global Warrior Center, which assists service members and veterans transitioning in and out of the military.