Tulane Athletics receives $1.4 million gift from the McKeever family

Tulane University has received a $1.4 million gift from the Valerie and Michael McKeever Family. One million dollars of the gift will be used to establish the McKeever Family Athletic Career Development Endowed Fund. The fund will expand Tulane Athletics’ career development initiative to its 350-plus student-athletes.

“Our student-athletes bear the name of Tulane University wherever they go,” President Michael Fitts said. “The school spirit they forge through their skill and competitiveness creates some of the fondest memories for Tulanians young and old. This generous gift from the McKeever Family will help ensure that the Tulane education these students receive serves them throughout their lives, allowing them to pursue their dreams through every imaginable career and entrepreneurial venture.”

“The significance of this gift cannot be overstated. It empowers our commitment to career development into perpetuity, ensuring that our student-athletes are as prepared for success after graduation as they are during their playing careers,” Director of Athletics Troy Dannen said. “Valerie and Michael’s generosity allows us to establish a career development program that will provide a road map for our student-athletes’ success following graduation.”

The establishment of the McKeever Family Athletics Career Development Endowed Fund will provide for a full-time staff member to support the postgraduate aspirations of Green Wave student-athletes.

“Mike and Valerie McKeever’s gift is yet another illustration of how our supporters believe in the holistic development of our student-athletes,” Associate Athletics Director for Development Tyler Kai said. “As a result of their commitment, our student-athletes will receive top tier career development support in a world class academic center. There is no better place for a student-athlete than Tulane University.”

In addition, a multi-purpose classroom within the Don and Lora Peters Academic Center will carry the McKeever family name. The classroom will address a critical need for the department by adding square feet dedicated to the development of student-athletes. The multipurpose classroom will be used for instruction, committee meetings, presentations, and career development programming.

Michael McKeever graduated from Tulane University with his bachelor of arts in Economics in 1973 while competing on the men’s swimming and diving team. He would later go on to earn his master’s in business administration in 1975. Michael has had a successful career in finance including leadership roles at Lehman Brothers and Legacy Venture Partners, LLC. Valerie also specialized in finance during her 10-year investment banking career at Kidder, Peabody. Michael, Valerie and their three children reside in Greenwich, Conn.

Tulane’s completion of the Don and Lora Peters Academic Center was 100 percent donor funded.

The McKeever Family’s seven-figure gift is the third contribution of its size to Tulane Athletics this year as part of the Only the Audacious Campaign.

As a result of the campaign, Tulane has made a strong commitment to enhancing its athletic facilities with the construction of Yulman Stadium, the Hertz Center, the Slatten Family Strength and Conditioning Center and the Don and Lora Peters Academics Center. In addition, Tulane has completely renovated Greer Field at Turchin Stadium and Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse.

For more information on how to make a gift to Tulane Athletics, visit GreenWaveClub.com.

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