Eleanor R. Baldwin Donates $1 Million to Athletic Complex

– Eleanor R. Baldwin, a longtime benefactor of FAU and FAU Athletics, has donated $1 million to name the History and Tradition Hall.

By lisa metcalf | 10/9/2015

Eleanor R. Baldwin, a longtime benefactor of Florida Atlantic University and FAU Athletics, has donated $1 million to name the History and Tradition Hall within the Schmidt Family Complex for Academic and Athletic Excellence.

Baldwin will be recognized on the field during halftime when the FAU Owls play host to Rice University on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 2:30 p.m. at FAU Stadium. The game will be televised by Fox College Sports and can be heard on ESPN 106.3 and on www.fausports.com. For tickets call 1-866-FAU-Owls.

“Supporting education is of the utmost importance to me,” said Baldwin. “The academic, athletic and social experiences of all students at FAU will be greatly enhanced by the Schmidt Family Complex for Academic and Athletic Excellence. I’m proud to continue to assist the athletics department in these efforts.”

The Schmidt Family Complex will house the athletic department’s academic center, athletic administration offices, an indoor football practice facility, sports medicine center, strength and conditioning and wellness center, varsity football center, as well as the Eleanor R. Baldwin History and Tradition Hall. The overall cost of the project is estimated at $50 million, with the initial funding of $16 million coming from the Schmidt Family Foundation, the largest single gift in FAU’s history. The Department of Athletics continues to actively fundraise for the project.

“We are so thankful for Elly Baldwin’s recent gift to the Schmidt Center — she is a true friend of this university,” said FAU President John Kelly. “Her continued contributions to Florida Atlantic University will help us raise the bar of performance both on the field and in the classroom.”

Baldwin, a Boca Raton resident and former Broward County high school teacher, has had a longstanding relationship with the University. The Eleanor R. Baldwin House, the president’s residence at the Boca Raton campus, also serves as a site to host University special events since it opened in 2002. As one of FAU’s “Football Founders,” Baldwin also has been supportive of the football program with various gifts since its inception, and most recently, the naming of the Eleanor R. Baldwin President’s Suite in FAU Stadium.

“Elly’s passion for education and sports combined with her generosity continues to transform Florida Atlantic University,” said Pat Chun, FAU’s vice president and director of athletics. “On behalf of our student-athletes, coaches and staff we thank her for making a difference at FAU.”

-FAU-