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Donors'
reward:
Being able
to make
a difference
Making
a difference. Benefiting
people in Nebraska and all over the world. Beginning
incredible developments in medical research.
These
were the sentiments donors voiced when it came to giving $75 million
to
build a research center on the University
of Nebraska Medical Center campus.
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'Their
satisfaction doesn’t come from their name being on
the building. Their satisfaction comes from what’s
going to happen inside the building and the programs
that develop there.'
– Michael
Yanney
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"It
isn’t something we have to do. It isn’t something
we need to do. But it’s something that’s in your heart," said
Michael Yanney, chairman of the board of the America First Companies
and one of the major
donors to the Durham Research Center.
"People
such as Chuck Durham, Walter Scott and Dick Holland and many others
who’ve made major contributions to this research center, they
do it because they want to be a part of a community with great pride
and great love for each
other," Yanney said.
"Their
satisfaction doesn’t come from their name being on the building.
Their satisfaction comes from what’s going to happen inside
the building and the programs that develop there," he said.
The
new building bears the name of Omaha philanthropist and entrepreneur
Chuck Durham in recognition of his generous gift to UNMC. In
addition, 45th Street
from Emile Street to Dewey Avenue is named the Durham Research
Plaza.
Durham’s commitment to research, both personally and financially, spurred
other community leaders to contribute. This venture between private and public
sectors brought the vision to reality.
The
Durham Research Center was funded almost entirely by private donations.
U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson also secured $2
million in federal monies for the project.
"These
individuals and organizations have made an exceptional investment
in the medical center and in our future. Their passion and generosity
are responsible
for the building that is here today," said UNMC
Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D.
"They
believe as we do, that this state-of-the-art research facility
and the research housed within will further fuel our quest to be
world-class, enable
us to make more headway in diagnosing and treating
and hopefully preventing many of the diseases that still plague
Nebraska and the nation today, and offer
a new and exciting educational environment for our
students as they learn to be tomorrow’s health professionals and scientists," he said.
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