Foundation Makes 7-Figure Gift to Park U.

The Robert W. Plaster Foundation, based in Lebanon, Mo., has donated at least $1 million to help Park University build a new School of Business. In a news release this morning, the university announced the seven-figure donation for the 20,500-square-foot facility, which will be named Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center.

Park’s Global Warrior Center, which assists students transitioning in and out of the military, will also be housed in the new building, which will include a finance lab, video production studio, commuter-student lounge, and a lab dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurship.

“We are passionate about our vow to equip students for success in a fast-paced, ever-evolving workforce and world,” said the university’s president, Greg Gunderson. “This new building will provide the type of modernized, state-of-the-art facility needed to keep our promise. We are grateful to the Plaster Foundation for its generous gift that will ensure the University continues to offer the best in modern and applicable education.”

The new business school building will be built on the east side of the university’s main entrance at its Parkville campus, with groundbreaking expected next year. In the meantime, the university said, fundraising and planning for the project continues.