DeKALB – NIU has received a $40 million donation from the Baustert Family Foundation, which is the largest single gift in NIU’s history.
The donation will be used for building the Health Technology Center, which will be built on the Northwest corner of Lucinda Avenue and Annie Glidden Road, where the non-operational Lincoln Residence Hall is now.
The new facility, once completed, will be named the Baustert Bahwell Health Technology Center, according to an NIU news release.
The donation was made by James and Theo (Bahwell) Baustert through the Baustert Family Foundation. Theo is an NIU alum who attended NIU in 1954 and 1955, according to a report from Wednesday’s special Board of Trustees meeting.
The $40 million that was donated is only able to be used for the project.
“The Baustert Family Foundation gift will provide: $10 million identified to close the gap on construction costs; $14 million for future programmatic development, including the acquisition of technology, faculty endowments and student scholarships; and $14 million held in a restricted facility endowment maintenance fund. The remaining $2 million of the gift is designated for the Northern Fund in its support for emerging projects at the university,” according to the news release.
NIU President Lisa Freeman expressed her excitement about the donation from the Baustert family.
“I am so excited for the university; for the validation of our excellent students, faculty, staff and our excellent programs; and for the possibilities that it opens up in the Health Technology Center,” Freeman said.
Construction of the Health Technology Center is expected to start in 2026, with the demolition of Lincoln Hall taking place in 2025. The project has a budget of $87 million, according to the news release.
Freeman mentioned they will be recycling parts of the building they demolish, which accounts for the demolition to begin in 2025 and construction in 2026.
“I just want to really express my gratitude to this family. It’s clear that their values are aligned very closely with those of NIU, and it will be heartwarming to see their names on the building,” Freeman said.
