KCU Joplin expands facilities with major donation
JOPLIN, Mo. — A major contribution to Kansas City University is set to make a big difference in the future of medical students.
It's the largest donation in the history of KCU, more than 20-million dollars from the estate of Dr. Paul and Mary Dybedal.
The donation will increase the Mary L. Dybedal Scholarship fund, establish a Chair of Psychiatry endowment, expand the Kansas City campus's research facilities, and build state-of-the-art labs in Joplin.
KCU Joplin Vice President Dr. Rick Schooler says supporting research will make students more competitive when applying for residencies, and help them make better decisions as doctors.
'It's very important to us to be able to contribute to the science of health, to help continue to advance health care and health practice. At the same time, it's very important for our students to have the opportunity to get involved with research as they're going through our professional programs,' said Dr. Rick Schooler, KCU Joplin Vice President.
A 2004 donation from the Dybedals allowed KCU to open the Dybedal Center for Research in 2006.
Dr. Dybedal graduated from KCU in 1954, and served on the Board of Trustees for more than 36 years.
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