The multifamily developer Thompson Thrift announced a $1.4 million gift to Indiana State University, whose board of trustees approved the naming of the Thompson Thrift Department of Construction Management in the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology.
Beginning in the fall 2026 academic year, junior and senior students majoring in construction management will be eligible to a $5,000 annual scholarship, renewable for one year. Scholarships will be given to 10 students from Indiana or Illinois who are on-campus students with a declared major in construction management.
In addition, Thompson Thrift’s gift will support the departmental program fund, which provides experiential learning opportunities to students, outreach to middle and high school students, faculty professional development and equipment upgrades as needed. Thompson Thrift will also provide $1.3 million in paid summer internships over the next 15 years to qualified students majoring in construction management.
Thompson Thrift noted that 15% of its team are counted among ISU alumni, including co-founders and CEOs Paul Thrift and John Thompson, both honored as 2022 recipients of the University’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
“Partnering with Indiana State University aligns perfectly with our mission to positively impact our team members and the communities we serve,” said Thompson. “By investing in the next generation of construction leaders, we’re building a foundation for a more innovative and resilient future.”
