HOUGHTON, MI – This university in Michigan just received its largest gift ever, which will fully fund a student wellness center.
Michigan Technological University announced the upcoming construction of the Chang K. Park Center for Student Wellness, which will support students’ physical, mental and emotional health in one 90,000-square-foot building.
“We want to see every student succeed, but we know success doesn’t happen if our students aren’t taking the time to focus on their overall health and well-being,” Laura Bulleit, vice president for student affairs, said in a statement.
Park, a 1973 graduate of the university, donated $55 million to fully fund the project. He founded Universal Remote Control, Inc., a global leader in home automation and control systems.
Services to be housed in the new facility are currently spread across more than 30 locations on campus. The project aligns with the university’s Be Well Initiative and is designed with its four pillars in mind:
Live Well: Spaces for clinical counseling, therapy, telehealth and a medical clinic
Play Well: A large fitness and exercise floor with fitness equipment for all skill levels
Connect Well: Communal areas, group rooms and a welcoming campus “living room”
Recharge Well: Rooms for meditation and prayer, quiet lounges and other restorative spaces for stress reduction
The facility, to be located between the Memorial Union and Administration buildings, will have instructional areas, a fitness center, locker rooms, group training rooms, a medical clinic, outreach and prevention offices, and accessible wellness amenities.
The facility is expected to open during fall 2028.
“I am incredibly grateful to Mr. Park for his generous and thoughtful donation,” Bulleit said. “To have an alumni donor who not only sees the need but also supports our vision for caring for the whole student, is absolutely a dream come true.”
Largest gift Michigan Tech has ever received to fund $55M student wellness center
