A partnership that hits the bullseye

$5 million gift from Target supports three capital projects

Target's support of Hanson Hall will help the Carlson School of Management increase enrollment by 50 percent.

From M, spring 2007

A commitment from faculty, staff, students, and alumni isn't all it will take to transform the University of Minnesota into a top three public research institution. Support from the greater community will also be vital. And perhaps no name is as synonymous with community support as Target, which gives back more than $3 million a week to the communities it serves.

Now Target has joined with the U to zero in on three strategic projects on the Twin Cities campus: the Weisman Art Museum expansion ($2 million), TCF Bank Stadium ($2 million), and Herbert M. Hanson Hall at the Carlson School ($1 million). The projects run parallel to Target's primary areas of giving, including education, the arts, and families and communities.

"We're grateful to Target for their generous support of the University," says president Robert Bruininks. "Target's gift will support three important capital projects that build on our academic mission, improve the student experience, and add to the entire state's quality of life."

The gift to the Weisman will be used to build a new wing, allowing the museum to expand exhibit and programming space. Weisman architect Frank Gehry will design the space, which will include a new studio for showcasing the process and results of creative collaborations among artists and other practitioners. It will be called the Target Studio for Creative Collaboration.

Target and the University agree that when TCF Bank Stadium opens in 2009 it will be a marquee gathering place and a venue for building a strong sense of community.

According to Bruininks, "TCF Bank Stadium will be an exciting new center of campus life, where students, alumni, and friends will gather for many years to come."

Target's support of Hanson Hall will help the Carlson School increase enrollment by 50 percent. The expansion will help meet the increasing demands in applications (in 2006, only 12 percent of applicants were admitted), as well as the number of employers looking for new graduates. It will also bring the size of the Carlson School undergraduate program up to par with most peer schools in the Big Ten.

"Target believes partnerships with leading cultural and educational institutions help strengthen local communities," says Laysha Ward, vice president of community relations for Target. "This partnership will help all of us gain a stronger appreciation and understanding of diverse cultures, traditions, and points of view, which collectively create a more vibrant community."