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Lilly School Gets 10th Endowed Chair

Global understanding of philanthropy across borders and within cultures is the topic for a new endowment, the Stead Family Chair in International Philanthropy at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

The $1.5 million gift from Jerre and Mary Joy Stead and their family through the Stead Family Foundation will establish the Indianapolis, Ind., school’s 10th endowed chair, the largest number of endowed chairs in philanthropy at any university.

The yet to be selected holder of the Stead Family Chair will conduct original research and translate new knowledge into improvements in the practice of international philanthropy and educate new philanthropic leaders for the international arena. The funding will also open opportunities for education and training in international philanthropy at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and around the world.

The school is also creating the Stead Family Medal for International Philanthropy. The medal will be awarded every two years to one or more people who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and leadership in all aspects of international philanthropy and who have worked to sustain philanthropy as a globally significant force for improving communities, institutions and people.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to the Stead family for its enormous generosity,” said Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie. “This gift will have a tremendous impact on the burgeoning study of international philanthropy and is consistent with the humanitarian legacy that Jerre, Mary Joy and their family have built through their philanthropic efforts.”

“We invest in creating great leaders,” Stead said. “This chair will support the wonderful work being done at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.” The Steads are joined in the announcement by their granddaughter Sydney Stead, a trustee of the Stead Family Foundation.

The family’s support for the endowed chair will generate opportunities to establish new global partnerships and help to ensure that the school is at the forefront of the study of international philanthropy, according to a school spokesperson. It will attract and retain scholars with outstanding expertise in the field as well as top students and professionals interested in philanthropy around the world. Proceeds from the gift will be matched by the IUPUI campus and the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy through the recently completed IMPACT campaign, according to the spokesperson.

Jerre Stead is a member of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s board of visitors, and is chairman and CEO of IHS, Inc. a global information and insight services company that employs more than 8,200 people in more than 40 countries. He has served as chairman and/or CEO of seven major national and international corporations; in addition to IHS they include AT&T Global Business Communications Systems, AT&T Global Information Solutions, NCR Japan, Square D Corporation, Ingram Micro and Legent Corporation.