California couple give $25 million to a Kansas college, largest gift in school’s history
Two California philanthropists announced a gift of $25 million to McPherson College on Sunday during the college’s 134th commencement ceremony, according to a news release from the college.
The donors, Melanie and Richard Lundquist, reside in Los Angeles and have been supporters of the college for about a decade. “McPherson College is a special place that embraces the love of humanity,” Melanie said.
The gift is the largest in the school’s 135-year history. The largest amount given previously was $10 million, the release said.
The money will go toward the “Building Community” campaign launched in October 2019 and is aimed at developing areas of the college, fostering engagement with alumni and making college more affordable through a student debt reduction project.
The Lundquists’ relationship with McPherson College started in 2012 when Melanie donated tool sets to the school’s automotive restoration program.
In November 2020, McPherson College awarded them honorary doctorate degrees to “recognize the couple’s significant body of work in driving systematic change in K-12 public education, health care delivery, and innovation, as well as environment,” the release read.
Richard Lundquist, a native of southern California, is the president and CEO of Continental Development Corporation.
Melanie Lundquist is an activist philanthropist who serves various roles at the University of Southern California. They co-founded the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, a non-profit whose goal is to “revolutionize school systems” and empower all students.
The gift marks the couple’s first major philanthropic donation outside California.