The Academic Commons at Penrose will be renamed the Anderson Academic Commons after a donation of an undisclosed amount by alumni and trustee of the university Ed Anderson was announced Tuesday last week.
Dean of the Academic Commons Nancy Allen said she could not release the exact amount of the donation, but said it is a “very, very generous” amount.
“The Academic Commons is a completely different building [from Penrose] and we have a completely new name for the completely new library,” said Allen.
The gift will be added to the other donations made to the construction of the Academic Commons from various donors.
Allen said the donation will help to relieve the university funds spent on the project.
“Almost all major (university) projects are funded through university funds and private giving. Whenever private giving increases, university funds can decrease,” said Allen.
The money donated by Anderson will not contribute to any specific portion of the funding for construction, but instead will offset costs from the whole project according to Allen.
Donor Ed Anderson is the CEO of venture capitalist firm North Bridge Venture Partners in Boston, Mass. He graduated from DU in 1971 and received his degree in Advertising Design.
Anderson is also a trustee of the University and has been talking with the university about this contribution for “some time,” according to Allen.
Allen said the Academic Commons will be re-named because of the significance of Anderson’s gift to the project. She said there is no gift size to secure a “naming donation” on university projects, but because Anderson’s gift was so large it was possible in this case.
“This contributes to 40 years of support of the university and from private sources, starting with El Pomar and moving on to today,” said Allen.
El Pomar is the name of the foundation which donated $4.5 million to the creation of the original Penrose library. Penrose is named after the founders of the foundation, Spencer and Julie Penrose.
Allen said the main entrance door into the Academic Commons, which has already been constructed, will be changed to read “Anderson Academic Commons on the front.” The name will also appear on the south and west sides of the building.
“There is a lot of excitement about the building in general,” said Allen about the donation and continuing construction of the Academic Commons. “Students have said there is a lack of study space on campus (without the library). We know that, we’ve been concerned all along.”
Allen said the interior of the commons is nearly complete and furniture is now being placed on the lower levels. The outside remains under construction.
The opening of the building will be March 25, with a week of events being planned prior to the opening. Allen said little was decided about these events, but one would be a formal ribbon cutting.
“The whole building looks and feels completely new,” said Allen. “You won’t believe it’s the same building. We are giving the commons a new name for a new era.”
