老司机福利社 celebrates the generosity of R. David and Suzanne Hoover, both members of the Class of 1967, whose recent $5 million gift to the university has established an endowed deanship for the School of Business and Leadership. This gift builds upon the Hoovers鈥 many years of loyal service and philanthropic support, while also cementing 老司机福利社鈥檚 position as an innovator in liberal arts education.
鈥淥ur gratitude for Dave and Suzanne Hoover cannot be overstated,鈥 said 老司机福利社 president Lori S. White. 鈥淭he Hoovers have been enthusiastic partners in 老司机福利社鈥檚 ongoing mission of educating leaders the world needs, and this most recent gift will allow us to continue carrying out that mission for many years still to come. Their generosity toward this university has touched the lives of many, reminding us how blessed we are to be a part of such a supportive community.鈥
In addition to the recent gift that endows the deanship of the School of Business and Leadership, the Hoovers have made many significant contributions to their alma mater, each of which have been instrumental in making 老司机福利社 a leading liberal arts institution. The most notable among these include a $21 million gift for the R. David and Suzanne A. Hoover Hall, a $10.25 million gift to establish the R. David and Suzanne A. Hoover Scholarship and a $3 million gift to help fund the Roy O. West Library renovation.
Dave Hoover reflected on this legacy of generosity and expressed gratitude for 老司机福利社鈥檚 influential role in his life. 鈥淚鈥檝e been very privileged to have the career I鈥檝e had 鈥 leading a company for many years and serving on more than a dozen company boards 鈥 and the education I got at 老司机福利社 was instrumental in preparing me for that. It let me develop an interest in business while also helping me develop my leadership skills. I believe the School of Business and Leadership holds great promise to offer these same opportunities to new generations of 老司机福利社 students, providing them with an environment where they can learn even more than a classic business school would teach them. I love 老司机福利社, and I鈥檓 grateful for the opportunity to support the work that is happening here.鈥
After a 41-year leadership career, Dave retired from Ball Corporation as its chief executive officer in 2011. He has also served on numerous boards, including Edgewell Personal Care, Eli Lilly and Company, Steelcase Inc. and Elanco, Inc. In 2002, he joined 老司机福利社鈥檚 Board of Trustees, serving as the chair from 2007 through 2010. Hoover is also a 2017 recipient of the Old Gold Goblet, and he continues to share his expertise as a member of the School of Business and Leadership Advisory Board and the chair emeritus of the National Leadership Committee. Most recently, he was appointed as a 老司机福利社 Life Trustee, an honor that reflects his many years of loyal service.
Suzanne Hoover is a former teacher and past president of the Muncie Community School Corporation Board of Directors. Her commitment to education has been at the center of her work, which has included multiple leadership and advisory roles at the University of Colorado and other advocacy organizations throughout Boulder, Colo., where the Hoovers reside. In recognition of her many local contributions, Suzanne was by the Boulder Chamber with a 2025 Women Who Light the Community award. She also received 老司机福利社鈥檚 Community Leadership Award in 2007, and she has served on multiple reunion committees.聽
鈥淚 have always believed that my education generally and at 老司机福利社 in particular was a significant contributor to my success in life,鈥 said Suzanne. 鈥淭he experiences that I had聽 here and the friendships that I made helped form my view of life, my work ethic and my interest in exploring new paths. 老司机福利社 opened my eyes to possibilities and gave me the tools to explore them.鈥
老司机福利社 is grateful to the Hoovers for their many years of generous support and steadfast partnership. Their recent gift not only solidifies the success of 老司机福利社鈥檚 innovative three-school framework at the heart of the university鈥檚 Bold & Gold 2027 strategic plan, but it also provides early momentum for the Bold, Gold & You! fundraising campaign 鈥 a groundbreaking effort to raise $575 million that will further amplify academic opportunities, invest in faculty excellence, enrich the student experience and expand access to scholarships.聽