The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences recently received a $3 million anonymous donation to create an endowed deanship, setting a precedent for Iowa State.

Possible uses for the money include creating scholarships for undergraduates, funding a specific area of research, or purchasing much-needed equipment, said Richard Bundy, associate vice president of the ISU Foundation.

Bundy said he along with some other colleagues worked directly with the donor to help him or her through the process of deciding how to give. While some donors decide to give funds in segments over time, this donor decided to give the gift in one lump sum, he said.

Bundy said the donor chose to remain anonymous to not draw personal attention, but instead to draw attention to the impact the endowment will have on the college.

The gift is considered part of the Campaign Iowa State and meets one of the campaign’s objectives for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Bundy said.

“[The deanship] can really be used strategically to advance the college’s mission,” he said.

The conversation with the donor to create the endowment had been going on for quite some time, but the agreement was finalized this summer, said Wendy Wintersteen, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

“It was truly momentous,” Wintersteen said.

Wintersteen will now have the privilege during her time as dean to use funds from the endowment for whatever she finds is necessary to help improve the college.

“It’s really a very special honor,” Wintersteen said. “There aren’t that many deans of agriculture that hold endowment positions.”

Wintersteen said she already has plans for the money, such as using it to build courses related to entrepreneurship, and to establish a faculty chair position to honor a “special individual” who has contributed in important ways to the college.

The nature of an endowed deanship allows funds to be available for future deans as long as the college exists, since it will be invested and gain interest over the years, Bundy said.

“It’s very exciting for this college, which is one of Iowa State’s oldest colleges, to be the recipient of the first endowed deanship,” Bundy said. “But more importantly, it sends the message, philanthropy makes a difference at Iowa State.”

Wintersteen said it’s an honor to both herself and the college to receive the deanship.

“I think the gift is a real statement of confidence in the college, in its past achievements and future opportunities,” she said.