Indiana State University has received a transformative multi-million dollar donation from the estate of the late Dr. Peggy Sankey, a 1961 alumna, to its College of Health and Human Services and School of Nursing. The generous gift will purchase and install cutting-edge medical equipment, providing students with hands-on training on the same technology they will use in their professional careers. The donation will be placed in a previously established endowment to facilitate ongoing updates to the equipment as medical innovations emerge.
“This generous gift from Dr. Peggy Sankey’s estate reflects her extraordinary lifelong commitment to the future of healthcare education and her alma mater,” said President Mike Godard. “Her generosity will continue to equip our students with state-of-the-art tools, guaranteeing they are well-prepared to serve as healthcare professionals and make a real difference in their communities. Dr. Sankey’s legacy will live on through the generations of students she has helped to train.”
Indiana State’s students will benefit from practical, industry-standard training, gaining the skills necessary to excel in healthcare careers. The new equipment will strengthen the university’s programs by offering enhanced experiential learning opportunities in real-world medical settings.
“We are deeply grateful for this remarkable contribution from Dr. Sankey’s estate, which will have a lasting impact on our ability to provide top-tier training for students in the healthcare disciplines,” said Dr. Caroline Mallory, Dean of the College of Health and Human Services. “Dr. Sankey’s vision and gift are an inspiration to all of us who are at the forefront of preparing our students to be the next generation of healthcare professionals.”
Peggy L. Sankey Swaim was born April 5, 1939, in Hamilton County, Ohio, and grew up near Riley, Indiana. She is survived by her husband, Dr. J. Franklin Swaim, M.D., her daughter, Anne Marie Francis Swaim, and her grandson, Yoze Orijin Swaim.
Dr. Sankey earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana State University in 1961, received her medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine in 1964, completed a residency in Pathology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, and practiced as a contract pathologist and hospitalist and a primary care physician in Parke, Vermillion, and Vigo counties in Indiana. Dr. Sankey was Board-certified in Anatomical and Clinical Pathology as well as Dermatopathology. Dr. Sankey actively practiced medicine in Parke County until her death on December 10, 2023.
The donation marks a significant milestone in developing healthcare training at Indiana State University. It ensures that future healthcare professionals can access the tools and training necessary to excel.
“Dr. Sankey had supported future medical professionals for years at Indiana State but chose to do so anonymously,” said Andrea Angel, Vice President of University Advancement and CEO of the Indiana State University Foundation. “We are honored to carry on her memory and impact through her estate gift to help future medical professionals serve our community and state as she did for decades. Philanthropy is essential to fostering a dynamic, collaborative learning environment. Transformative gifts like this allow Indiana State to elevate its academic programs while ensuring students develop the critical skills needed to thrive in their careers.”
As the Be So BOLD campaign continues raising funds, this gift highlights the significant role private support plays in Indiana State’s mission to provide high-quality, career-focused education. To learn more about the campaign or to donate today, visit the Be So BOLD website.