IUPUI Lands Major Gift From Faculty Members

Alexander and Elizabeth Its both joined the School of Science faculty in the 1990s.

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Two faculty members in the department of mathematical sciences at IUPUI’s School of Science have given a significant gift to to the university. The $1 million gift from Alexander and Elizabeth Its will endow a professorship in the department and an undergraduate scholarship for an honors student.

IUPUI says it is one of the largest gifts from a faculty member in the School of Science. The couple says the gift stems from their passion for higher education and their appreciation of the school. 

"Most classes I teach are undergraduate classes, and I love my students," said Elizabeth Its. "It’s so important to help them a little, because many of them struggle. I have the greatest respect for those students who have to work their way through school."

The couple, both Russian natives, met and married while studying at what was then known as Leningrad State University in the U.S.S.R., now known as St. Petersburg State University. Alexander joined the School of Science at IUPUI in 1993 and Elizabeth followed in 1997.

Simon Roads, dean of the School of Science, said the gift "will support the success of IUPUI students forever."