The beginning of the twenty-first century marks a critical time for families. Today's families struggle to raise children, care for parents, and meet work obligations — all at the same time. A child's success at school increasingly determines his or her future success. And as we live longer, we face many new challenges to maintain our quality of life.

Purdue University is responding to these challenges across the life span with the Human Development Institute, a catalyst for creative solutions that improve the quality of life for children, youth, families, and the elderly.

"The Human Development Institute will provide an interdisciplinary environment on campus that fosters discovery, learning, and engagement programs that support and enhance the fundamental structure of society, the family, and its individual members," says CFS Dean Dennis Savaiano. "Consumer and Family Sciences is at the heart of this effort."

Mark and Judi Mosser Merkel, both Purdue alumni and Extension educators, have pledged $50,000 to the new Human Development Institute over the next five years. The couple is standing in front of Fowler House, adjacent to where the new facility is planned.

The building is slated for a location on State Street adjacent to Fowler House, which already houses the Center for Families, the Marriage and Family Therapy Program, Purdue Child Care Program, and office space for the Department of Child Development and Family Studies. The two buildings together will comprise the new Human Development Institute.

Lending their support to the effort are Mark and Judi Mosser Merkel, who are giving $50,000 to the building over the next five years. Not only are they both Purdue alumni (Mark graduated with a degree in agriculture in 1967 and Judi is a 1968 foods and nutrition graduate) but they are also Purdue Extension educators. Judi is a CFS educator in Wells County and Mark (now retired) worked in Purdue Extension in Adams County for 32 years.

"Purdue has always been such an important part of our lives," says Judi. "Purdue launched our careers, our relationship, our family, and now our hope for the future. We feel the time has come for us, at this age and stage of our lives, to give back to others, our profession, and our University."

The Merkels say the Human Development Institute is symbolic of all the values they hold dear: family, youth development, leadership development, aging through the life course, research, and education. They know this new initiative will benefit the many individuals and communities that Purdue Extension serves throughout Indiana.

"The opportunity to strengthen families throughout the nation is such a positive force," Judi says. "Giving while we are still living gives our lives far greater meaning and allows our family members to watch history in the making with the Human Development Institute."

The Human Development Institute is scheduled to open in 2008. For giving opportunities, please contact Laura Sloop, CFS director of development, at (800) 535-7303, (765) 494-7890, or e-mail lsloop@purdue.edu.