Madison Long, a freshman majoring in finance, wouldn’t be at Krannert if it wasn’t for the Business 
Opportunity Program. “I was debating between a smaller school or a bigger school,” Madison explains. It was BOP’s individualized attention, mentor program and student community, along with the resources of a world-class university, that led Madison to enroll at Purdue.
Krannert’s Business Opportunity Program will be able to provide more scholarships to Indiana students like Madison, thanks to substantial gifts from BOP alumni, the Krannert School Alumni Association, the Dean’s Advisory Council and Ingersoll Rand.
“I think that says a lot about what BOP is. People really do believe in the program. They see the results. They see the capabilities of the students who are in BOP. They believe in it enough to donate their money,” says Madison, who was also accepted into Purdue’s Honors College.
The money was raised during a two-year campaign when all donations were matched dollar-for-dollar. “We had a great response and took advantage of a wonderful opportunity,” says Darren Henry, Director of Diversity Initiatives at Krannert.
KSAA board member Marc Hochman encouraged Krannert’s advisory boards to give during the match period. “He took the message and challenged KSAA and DAC to support this initiative,” Henry says.
KSAA members and DAC members donated a total of $112,000. BOP alumni gave $25,000 as a group, with two individuals donating an additional $25,000. Ingersoll Rand supported the effort with $16,000. With matching funds from the Indiana Challenge Match and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Purdue, the total raised was $356,000.
“That’s incredible. It’s going to be great for BOP,” Madison says. As part of the program, Madison started her freshman year this summer by taking 4 classes worth 11 credit hours. “I really loved it,” she says. “Even though it’s a lot of work and it’s all over the summer, I was around people who would keep me focused.”
“I know I wouldn’t be at Purdue without BOP, that’s for sure. It was the biggest decision I had to make, choosing a college, but coming to Purdue and being part of BOP is the best decision I could have made. I’m 100 percent sure.”