Office of the Chancellor

PFW to Receive $15 Million for Music Technology Building

May 3, 2023
Dear Colleagues,

As we conclude a successful spring semester and eagerly look forward to our 2023 Commencement next week, I have some very exciting news to share.

I am delighted to report that the state’s 2023–25 biennium budget includes a $15 million appropriation to support construction of a 26,000-square-foot music technology building here on the Purdue Fort Wayne campus.

This state funding is in addition to the two generous philanthropic gifts we announced previously—$3 million from Chuck and Lisa Surack and $3 million from the Auer Foundation—and brings us much closer to achieving our vision for a new home for our popular music and music industry programs. The music technology building not only addresses the academic needs of students seeking careers in high-demand fields, it also further positions the region to become a national hub in the music industry. With state-of-the art studios, editing rooms, classrooms, and rehearsal space, our students will have a significant competitive edge when they graduate.

While we still need to secure some additional financial support to achieve full funding for the building, especially with ever-escalating construction costs, we are near that finish line and optimistic that we will be able to begin site work in 2024 and open the building in 2027. This facility will be the first new building constructed on our campus in more than 12 years.

This is a win-win for our students, faculty, alumni, community, and all of northeast Indiana.

I want to take this opportunity to extend my thanks to Kimberly Grannan, chief of staff and community relations officer, for her leadership and commitment to ensuring this legislative request became a reality. There have been a number of people actively involved in planning, promoting, and funding this ambitious initiative. Your passion and dedication have been evident every step of the way.

I especially want to thank our legislators, who continue to affirm their support and confidence in Purdue Fort Wayne’s mission. We also owe a huge thank-you to members of the university’s Community Engagement Board, Greater Fort Wayne Inc., the Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana, and the numerous community leaders and friends who believed in this project and championed it at every turn. We simply couldn’t have done it without you.

Sincerely,

Ron Elsenbaumer
Chancellor