Published: August 28, 2008 12:32 pm            

Area couple donates more than $500k to Indiana University Southeast

NEW ALBANY — A Southern Indiana couple has just donated more than $560,000 to Indiana University Southeast’s School of Business.

The donors, Judge Carlton and Sue Sanders, also were instrumental in getting most of those funds matched by the Indiana University Foundations and by IUS Chancellor Sandra Patterson-Randles, making the total about $1.1 million, according to Jay White, dean of the school of business.

The couple said they decided to help the school after being “disgusted” with how the state and federal governments continue to cut funds in education.

“Our hearts are tied to IUS,” Carlton said, adding that he and his wife received their bachelor’s degrees from IUS. “We refer to it as our mother of learning.”

The two were nontraditional students, working full-time as they earned their degrees in business. Since, Sue said many things have changed on the campus, such as more buildings and even more students.

They also hope to see some more changes.

“It is our desire to make what we consider the best even better,” Carlton said of IUS.

Carlton and Sue have earmarked the money they donated to go toward establishing the Sanders Trading Lab and the Sanders Speaker Series Endowment.

Carlton said he envisions the trading lab to have financial information streaming, like Bloomberg. He also said younger students —even those not in college — could use the lab to learn about financial literacy.

The purpose of the speaker series is to bring in renowned people from around the world to give their expertise to students at IUS.

White said that will help give IUS’ School of Business more attention and possibly help with recruitment and retention of students and staff.

During the check presentation, Carlton said he and his wife felt it was necessary to do what they can to help the school.

“[This donation] is something that cannot match what the school has given us in the past,” he said.

Patterson-Randles said now is the time for IUS to really shine, and this gift will aid in that endeavor.

“This is truly a remarkable time at IU Southeast,” Patterson-Randles said, referring to all the recent changes, such as the addition of student housing and renovations of the student center. “Folks, we really are on a roll here. And this just puts the icing on the cake.”

Patterson-Randles said the money will allow the business school, — which she said already is doing a good job — to reach greater heights.

“We promise we are not going to let them down,” she said. “We are going to do a great job with this wonderful gift. We will make them proud.



ABOUT JUDGE CARLTON AND SUE SANDERS

• Carlton and Sue Sanders both earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Indiana University Southeast.

Sue worked at Aegon Insurance Group (including the predecessor companies, Providian, Capital Holding Corp., and Commonwealth Life Insurance) until she retired in 2000 with 40 years of service.

Carlton, also an employee of the pre-Aegon company, Capital Holding Corp., studied law and earned his juris doctorate from the University of Louisville in 1976. After admission to the Indiana Bar and U.S. Federal Bar, Carlton opened his own law firm.

Carlton served as Harrison County Superior Court judge for 12 years until his semi-retirement in 1997. He has maintained his certification as a practicing attorney and occasionally serves as a special judge and judge pro tem in surrounding counties.

In 2000, the couple provided a gift of $1 million to IUS to establish the Judge Carlton and Sue Sanders Endowed Chair in e-Business.

— Information courtesy of IUS

        

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