News Archive
10/5/2009
Wasendorf commits $2 million to UNI athletics
Russell and Connie Wasendorf have
pledged $2 million to the University
of Northern Iowa Panther
athletics program. The gift was made through the UNI Foundation. This is the
largest unrestricted outright gift to the UNI athletic department in its
100-plus year history.
By making this commitment, the Wasendorfs became founding
investors in the VIP Fund, part of the university's Imagine the Impact campaign. The VIP (Vested in the Panthers) Fund
was created to secure unrestricted resources for Panther athletics and will
help support scholarships, programs, equipment and facilities.
UNI Director of Athletics Troy Dannen said, "We are pleased
to recognize Connie and Russ as founding investors of the Panther athletics VIP
Fund. Their leadership will help ensure the sustainability of a strong
intercollegiate athletic program at Northern Iowa
for years to come."
Russ Wasendorf said, "I am simply
paying back, with interest, the financial aid I received while attending UNI. I
feel, without that financial aid, I would not have received a quality college
education. Connie and I are proud to make this donation and enhance
opportunities for UNI student athletes."
In addition to this commitment,
the Wasendorf's have supported Panther athletics with significant investments
in the McLeod Center and the UNI-Dome.
Wasendorf is chairman and CEO of
PFGBEST, one of the largest U.S.
non-clearing futures and forex brokerage firms. In addition to PFGBEST, he
heads Wasendorf & Associates, Inc., a Cedar
Falls, Iowa, research
firm specializing in managed futures investments, as well as publishing books
for trader education through W&A Publishing.
UNI President Benjamin Allen said, "We are very proud, and quite humbled, to
have such significant support from a couple who are among the Cedar Valley's
most prominent business and community leaders. "Russ and Connie's
generosity opens many opportunities for our students to enhance their college
experiences."
For more information about the Imagine the Impact campaign or the UNI
Foundation, visit the Web site at www.uni-foundation.org.
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