University alumni Shahid Khan and Ann Carlson Khan were honored for their $10 million donation to the addition to Huff Hall during the dedication of the Khan Annex on Thursday.
The Khan Annex provides over 24,000 square feet to programs for the College of Applied Health Sciences, including a center on Health, Aging, Disability, the Master of Public Health Program, classrooms, research labs and office facilities.
Members of the community, University administrators and students attended the ceremony.
University President Michael Hogan said the rain that started right before the ceremony began “can’t damper the sunshiny spirit of the day, at least for (him).”
Hogan said the Khan Annex can be an innovation that can encourage research into healthier lifestyles.
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Shahid and Ann graduated from the University in 1971 and 1980 respectively, and the couple has been a longtime financial supporter.
The Khans are responsible for funding the Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex, home to both the University men’s and women’s tennis teams.
The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, the University Library and five professorships in the College of Applied Health Sciences are all additional beneficiaries of the Khans’ contributions.
Shahid credits his wife with the original idea for the center. He said she has been very passionate about helping people with disabilities.
Ann said she had the original idea for the Khan Annex to pursue research in helping others with any kind of injury.
“You don’t appreciate it until you break your foot and see how hard it is to get into a building,” she said.
Ann worked alongside Tanya Gallagher, Dean of the College of AHS, to help build off the idea she had.
Gallagher said the biggest barrier during the planning was realizing what is possible and how to make it a reality.
“The core assumption in the college is that we can improve people’s lives,” Gallagher said. “We can do that if we learn more and develop more technology to try and support the quality of life in people.”
The Khans were presented with a plaque by the college of AHS for their services.
“The only thing I like better than making money is using it to make a difference,” Shahid said. “So the students will be working out of the best there is.”
