"Contributing to the endowment fund for the purchase state-of-the-art science equipment, Miami County physicians are supporting those who are seeking higher education, as well as investing in potential future members of the Miami County Medical Society," said Dr. Agnes Kenny, president of the Miami County Medical Society. "As a provider of the best in higher education—facilities, staff and equipment resources, IU Kokomo is a major player in retaining our brightest residents. The community has an obligation to support their efforts."

"IU Kokomo truly appreciates the Medical Society’s generous contribution and its call for its members to give to this important project," said Vice Chancellor for External Relations Nancy Dailey. "Each doctor in the society put effort into gaining his or her own education, and these contributions will encourage today’s science students to put in similar effort."

The medical society’s 26 members are all physicians practicing in Miami County, representing a wide range of practice types, from primary care to specialty medicine.

As of June 24, donors had pledged a total $241,320 to the IU Kokomo Science Equipment Endowment fund. The campus has until January to raise the balance of its $468,000 endowment goal.

The science equipment endowment is part of a total $935,000 project, which will purchase equipment to meet the current needs of science courses at IU Kokomo and establish an endowment for maintaining and replacing equipment in perpetuity. A Kresge Science Initiative challenge grant provided an initial $117,000 for equipment. Kresge will contribute an additional $117,000 if private gifts for the remainder of the endowment are secured by January.

Dailey may be reached at 765- 455-9485.