Jeanne Compton, supporter of the arts at Purdue, leaves a strong legacy

Jeanne Compton, a true believer in the mission of Purdue Convocations, passed away on Monday, September 19th. As wonderful and generous supporters of the arts, Dale and Jeanne Compton’s legacy will live on for a very long time at Purdue Convocations through their endowment.

Featured above: Dale Compton and Jeanne Compton with members of National Theatre of Scotland during The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart

“Arts and Entertainment is a gift, not a given.”
-Jeanne Compton, dear friend of Purdue Convocations

Jeanne Compton was a member of the Friends of Convocations Advisory board from 1995-2005 and established the Jeanne Compton Endowment for Artistic Excellence in 2002.  It was created to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Friends of Convocations as a way to inspire others in the community to support Convos by enhancing and perpetuating the presence of world-class performances at Purdue.

Her husband, W. Dale Compton, is Professor Emeritus of Industrial Engineering at Purdue and they have three children. Jeanne became a Friends of Convocations Legacy Member in 2011 and a Lifetime Collaborator in 2012. She also served as a chairperson for the Convocations Centennial Gala in 2002.

As a final, selfless gesture, Jeanne has designated memorial gifts to be directed to Purdue Convocations. She can now dance her way into the heavens.

A visitation will be held Friday, September 23, 2016 from 4:00-7:00 PM and a service on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at 10:30 AM, both at the Soller-Baker West Lafayette Chapel, 1184 Sagamore Pkwy W. West Lafayette, IN 47906. Burial will follow the funeral service in Chrisman, IL at Hoult Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Purdue Convocations in Jeanne’s name. Please visit www.soller-baker.com to sign the guest book or leave condolences for the family. Read Jeanne Compton’s obituary

Jeanne Compton Endowment for Artistic Excellence

This fund was established in November 2002 with a gift by W. Dale and Jeanne C. Compton.  Income is to be used toward the payment of fees of artists or companies engaged by Purdue Convocations or its successor.  The director of Purdue Convocations, after annual consultation with the donors, will select the performance(s) for which the income will be used.

Jeanne Compton with STREB

The Jeanne Compton Endowment for Artistic Excellence was created to provide enduring support for a broad cross-section of the performing arts. Says Jeanne, “we want to continue Convocations’ tradition of providing the community a wide spectrum of arts and artists. Not everyone likes the same type of performance. We have enjoyed the wide variety of performances and we believe that people should be able to choose from an array of arts experiences. Our desire is to make it possible for Purdue Convocations to continue its wide offerings.”

The purpose of the endowment has been clearly demonstrated in the past. Proceeds from the fund have supported dance – Momix: Opus Cactus, Martha Graham Dance Company, STREB: Forces, Joffrey Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Moulin Rouge; Mark Morris Dance Group’s Dido and Aeneas; chamber music – Le Trio Gershwin, St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra; and theatre – National Theatre of Scotland’s The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart

Dale and Jeanne Compton with Royal Winnipeg Ballet after Moulin Rouge

Jeanne and Dale came to West Lafayette in 1988 when Dale accepted a professorship in the School of Industrial Engineering.  During this time Jeanne has been an active volunteer for the arts and service organizations in the community. The Endowment is a way to recognize her involvement as well as to support the future of Convocations.

Having lived from coast-to-coast, Jeanne and Dale appreciate communities with a strong connection to the arts. They strongly believe that engagement in the arts improves the quality of life in Greater Lafayette and directly supports Purdue’s mission to become a world-class institution.

Contributions to endowment funds from friends like the Comptons have built a permanent financial foundation for Purdue Convocations. Endowments are a way for donors, in addition to providing funds from year to year, to assist in the mission of Convocations by designating support for specific performing arts genres, programming or projects. Endowments have a lasting impact for Purdue Convocations, as a self-supporting entity within the University, by ensuring quality programming for years to come.

Jeanne explains, “We hope that others will join us in guaranteeing the long-term success of Convocations. Arts and entertainment is a gift and not a given. We must ensure the viability of the performing arts in this community.”