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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. Purdue University recently received a $10 million commitment from alumni William and Barbara Rakosnik.

William graduated in 1969 with a degree in mechanical engineering, while Barbara graduated in 1970 in health and human sciences. It was announced Wednesday that the couple have committed more than $10 million to Purdue University in support of the School of Mechanical Engineering,the Department of Psychological Sciences and University Residences, according to a release.

According to Purdue, this commitment will support graduate students and needed services and programs in these fields of study. The commitment also includes $125,000 to establish endowments and a $10 million trust fund that will "provide continued support," according to the release.

This generous gift from the Rakosniks is very important because it touches on several areas and focuses on students and their everyday experiences, Purdue President Mung Chiang said in the news release. Anybody who has been on a college campus knows that its the students, including graduate students, who bring a university to life. The impact of this gift will be felt by many of our students for decades to come.

The $125,000 will be distributed as follows:

According to the release, "regular trust income and eventual trust distribution will proceed along similar lines:"

The graduate school support funds will provide recipients primarily with scholarship, fellowship and assistantship support, Purdue stated. Additional support will to towards research funding and expenses for conferences and other learning opportunities.

"The purpose of the Legacy Experience Fund is to allow flexibility to support areas of strategic importance as determined by the director of University Residences," the release stated.

William commented on the commitment in the release.

"Outstanding faculty and a world-class education will always draw students to Purdue, but its the amazing young people you interact with that make life at the university so exceptional, William said in the release. What were talking about is the undergraduate and graduate students you work with and learn from on a daily basis. All of this contributes to the development of a well-rounded student. We want to make sure this tradition continues and we hope other alumni look back at their time on campus, remember how formative those years were and provide their own support.

Previous contributions from William and Barbara have included support for academic scholarships, Purdue Musical Organizations, Purdue Bands & Orchestra and Student Life, the release stated.

Now retired, William worked for over 30 years in production control and distribution management at IBM. Barbara, also retired, worked in architecture and later started her own embroidery business, Periwinkle Promises. They also serve as active volunteers in their community, according to the release.

Bill and I really enjoyed living the whole campus experience, Barbara said in the release. We were both resident assistants who were active in student organizations, and I worked on the yearbook. After a very brief encounter on campus, a few phone calls and four years of dating, we were married at the University Lutheran Church, right on campus. So, to say we have fond memories doesnt even begin to cover it. When we give back, we have the whole student in mind. We feel strongly that every Purdue student deserves the opportunity to grow and blossom.

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Millions of dollars to go towards mechanical engineering, psychology and more at Purdue - Journal & Courier