New Mexico natives Sonnet and Ian McKinnon gave UNM’s Anderson School of Management and the Athletics Department $7.5 million, the largest financial contribution given to the University by living individuals.
The gift will fund projects at Anderson, The Pit and the UNM Tennis Complex, and it will support an endowment fund honoring former UNM tennis coaches Loren and Alan Dils, University President David Schmidly announced Friday.
“Sonnet and Ian included both academics and athletics in their gift as they realize that both, working together, make for a stronger institution,” Schmidly said.
Athletics Director Paul Krebs said the donation underscores that equal dedication to academics and athletics are paramount to the University’s success.
“This symbolizes the important partnership at UNM between academics and athletics,” he said.
The Anderson School will receive about $5 million, much of that diverted toward facility renovations, Anderson’s Dean Doug Brown said.
“It’s a game-changer,” he said. “It will allow us to modernize facilities, improve technology, plan and design for the future and enrich our offerings for students.”
Meanwhile, The Pit will receive $1 million, and the tennis facility will get $1.2 million. UNM Sports Information Director Frank Mercogliano said the gift will have long-term effects.
“This is really exciting,” he said. “Their gift will affect
hundreds or even thousands of people in the long run.”
The McKinnons grew up in Albuquerque and have donated to UNM’s Athletics and tennis programs previously. They donated through Changing Worlds, a UNM campaign that began in 2006 and aims to raise $675 million before UNM’s 125 anniversary in 2014. As of July 20, the campaign has raised $406 million.
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