Ex-Chrysler CEO returns to celebrate opening of new Eaton Hall

Robert J. Eaton returned to his alma mater last month to help KU celebrate the official opening of the School of Engineering's new Eaton Hall.

The retired chairman of DaimlerChrysler AG and his wife Connie gave $5 million to help build the $15 million facility located at 15th Street and Naismith Drive.

"I'm a believer in giving back, and Connie and I are very proud of being part of making this building available for KU and the citizens of Kansas," Eaton said.

The 80,000-square-foot building consolidates all academic engineering programs-including the department of electrical engineering and computer science-into the engineering complex. Many members of the department had been located in offices and classrooms far from the main engineering building, Learned Hall. The facility also includes several state-of-the-art instructional and computer laboratories, an atrium and a computing commons for use by all engineering students. New office space was created for the Engineering Career Services Center and the school's administrative offices. Eaton Hall also features the Spahr Engineering Classroom, a 230-seat multimedia classroom funded by Charles Spahr and his wife, Mary Jane Bruckmiller Spahr, of Shaker Heights, Ohio. The Spahrs committed an additional $6.5 million for the school.

"The expansion of the KU School of Engineering would not have been possible without the generous assistance of donors," Chancellor Robert Hemenway said. "Because construction was entirely funded through private gifts, KU was able to answer the need for more space and bring together the programs to foster more collaborative research and teaching. Gifts from donors have helped KU build upon vital state support for the school to establish an exceptional environment for learning and research."

Announced gifts and donors for the project include:

• A $5 million commitment from Eaton, e '63, of Naples, Fla. An Arkansas City native, Eaton is chairman emeritus of Chrysler Corp. and retired chairman of DaimlerChrysler AG.

• A $4 million gift from the estate of the late Paul W. and Virginia Miller. The gift from the Millers was provided through a $10.2 million bequest for KU announced in 1999.

• A $1.5 million gift from Charles and Mary Jane Bruckmiller Spahr of Shaker Heights, Ohio. Charles, e '34, is a retired chief executive of Standard Oil Co. of Ohio. Mary Jane attended KU with the Class of 1938.

• A $1 million commitment from Madison "Al" and Lila Self of Hinsdale, Ill. Al, e '43, is a longtime businessman and former owner of Bee Chemical Co. in Lansing, Ill. Lila attended KU with the Class of 1943.

• A $1 million pledge from Adrienne Zimmerman Adam of Prairie Village. Adrienne earned a bachelor's degree in liberal arts in 1933 from the University of Arizona and was married to Paul J. Adam, b'33.

• A gift of $100,000 from P.J. "Jim" Adam and his wife, Barbara Mills Adam, of Overland Park. Jim, e '56, is a former chairman and CEO of Kansas City-based Black & Veatch and is the son of Adrienne Zimmerman Adam. Barbara attended KU with the Class of 1953 and is a former chairwoman of the board of KCPT Channel 19 in Kansas City.

• A $100,000 pledge from Frank J. and Barbara Brinkman Becker. Frank, e'58, is owner and president of Becker Investments Inc. Barbara has served on the Emporia State University Foundation Board of Trustees.

• A $100,000 pledge from William and Marjorie Heard Franklin of Prairie Village. William, e'56, and Marjorie, e '56, are principal engineers for Franklin Associates Ltd. in Prairie Village.

Some donors remain anonymous.

Gifts for Eaton Hall counted toward the $500 million goal of KU First: Invest in Excellence, the largest fund-raising campaign in KU history. KU Endowment is conducting KU First on behalf of KU through 2004 to raise funds for scholarships, fellowships, professorships, capital projects and program support. KU Endowment is an independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fund-raising and fund-management organization for KU.