Indiana State University has received a transformational $750,000 gift from the Hosking family in support of engineering and technology students.
This commitment honors the legacy of the Hosking family and Rapid Reproductions while ensuring future generations of Sycamores have access to life-changing educational opportunities. The gift will also establish the Hosking Family–Rapid Reproductions Interior Architecture Design Lab in the newly renovated Bailey College of Engineering and Technology, set to open in spring 2027.
The gift will further strengthen the Hosking Family–Rapid Reproductions Scholarship, an endowed scholarship that supports students pursuing degrees in the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology. The scholarship celebrates the enduring legacy of Tom and Mary Hosking and Kenneth and Zorah Syphax, whose shared commitment to entrepreneurship, education, and community investment has impacted Indiana State University and the Wabash Valley for decades.
Rapid Reproductions, founded by Kenneth and Zorah Syphax, has served the Terre Haute community for more than 50 years as a printing, equipment, and graphics company. Tom Hosking joined the business in 1972, purchased it in 1973, and served as president until 2003, continuing the company's tradition of investing in the community. Following the passing of Mary Hosking in 2019 and Tom Hosking in 2025, Gary and Jane Hosking, along with Brian and Kelly Hosking, chose to make additional gifts to the endowed scholarship, ensuring their commitment to students will continue for generations.
The Hosking Family–Rapid Reproductions Scholarship provides support to undergraduate students studying engineering and technology disciplines, with preference given to students from west-central Indiana and eastern Illinois, helping make an Indiana State University education more accessible while preparing graduates to meet the workforce needs of the region.
“The Hosking family understands something we believe deeply at Indiana State: when we invest in students, we invest in the future of our communities,” said Indiana State University President Mike Godard. “Their generosity will open doors for Sycamores pursuing engineering and technology, providing both the financial support and the modern learning spaces they need to succeed. This gift also honors a family whose entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to the Wabash Valley have made a lasting difference. We are grateful for their trust in Indiana State and, most of all, for their belief in our students.”
The gift also recognizes the important role local businesses play in building stronger communities and supporting the next generation of leaders through higher education.
"Our family has always believed that investing in students is one of the best ways to invest in our community," said Gary Hosking. "My parents, Tom and Mary Hosking, along with Ken and Zorah Syphax, cared deeply about helping others succeed. It is our hope that this scholarship and the Hosking Family–Rapid Reproductions Interior Architecture Design Lab will inspire students to pursue their passions, achieve their goals, and ultimately give back to their own communities."
The named lab will serve as a lasting tribute to the Hosking and Syphax families while providing students with a modern learning environment designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and innovation. The naming recognizes the Hosking family's commitment and reflects Indiana State University's gratitude for their investment in student success.
"The Hosking family's generosity is a powerful example of how philanthropy transforms lives," said Andrea Angel, Vice President of University Advancement and CEO of the Indiana State University Foundation. "Their investment not only expands scholarship opportunities for deserving students but also honors generations of community leadership and business excellence. Their legacy will be reflected in every student whose educational journey is made possible through this scholarship and every future innovator who learns within the Hosking Family–Rapid Reproductions Interior Architecture Design Lab."
The Hosking family's gift aligns with Indiana State University's strategic priorities by expanding access to higher education, supporting student success, and strengthening partnerships that create lasting opportunities for future Sycamores.