A California couple known for their philanthropy is donating $25 million to McPherson College in Kansas. Melanie Lundquist announced the gift from her and her husband, Richard, during her commencement address Sunday at the small liberal arts college.
The college said the gift will complete a Building Community fundraising campaign started in October 2019. The Lundquists did not attend nor graduate from McPherson but have been supporters since 2012. Richard Lundquist owns Continental Development Corporation, a property development firm based in California.
The gift is the largest donation in McPherson's 135-year history; the previous largest gift to the college was $10 million.
The Lundquist’s gift completes the campaign early, having raised $53 million in fewer than three years.
The Lundquists’ relationship with McPherson College began in 2012 when Melanie donated tool sets to the school’s Automotive Restoration program in honor of Richard’s birthday. Since then, the Lundquists have become regular supporters of the college.
Earlier this month, Richard donated his prized Enzo Ferrari 1972 365GTB/4 Daytona, marking the first Ferrari in the automotive restoration program’s 45-year history.
In November 2020, McPherson College conferred honorary doctorates on the Lindquists, recognizing the couple’s work in driving systemic change in K-12 public education, health care delivery, innovation, and the environment.