Donor gives $3M to Purdue’s history department

Purdue University says it will create two endowed professorships in the history of science and medicine after a $3 million donation to its history department.

Purdue officials announced the contribution Wednesday from a donor who is remaining anonymous. Purdue President Mitch Daniels said the donation will be matched with $3 million from a presidential discretionary fund.

History department chairman Douglas Hurt says the donation is the largest the department has ever received and will allow it to establish a specialty in the history of science, medicine and technology.

Daniels said those subjects fit in with Purdue's long-established programs in engineering and technology.