$25 million gift from Debruce Family will go towards KU's new Gateway District
Related video: The New Booth: Kansas Football practices for first time inside renovated stadium.
LAWRENCE (KSNT) - Paul and Linda Debruce gifted the University of Kansas a $25 million donation to go towards the Gateway District and David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Wednesday.
“Paul and Linda are remarkable leaders, inspiring philanthropists and proud Jayhawks, who leapt at the opportunity to be a part of this transformational project,” said KU Director of Athletics Travis Goff. “We are in awe of all that the DeBruces have done for Kansas Athletics and are so grateful that they are rising to the occasion at this critical moment. The Gateway District and the reimagined David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium will be a landmark destination for generations to come thanks in large part to their vision and generosity.”
The goal of the Gateway District is to create a place for the university that welcomes students, alumni and fans while also attracting new visitors. This new stadium will help boost recruiting for KU Football and provide a reimagined game-day experience.
To recognize the DeBruce Family, KU will name the premium hospitality space at the stadium the 'Paul and Linda DeBruce Jayhawk Club.' This space will offer hospitality on gamedays and provide dining services for student-athletes on non-game days.
“We appreciate the strong educational foundation KU provided to us and the great friends and memories we’ve made at KU games throughout the years,” said Paul DeBruce. “We’re proud to support a project with impact of this magnitude.”
“KU Athletics keeps Jayhawks connected to the university,” said Linda DeBruce. “It truly is the ‘Gateway,’ so this project is aptly named.”
The couple are KU graduates. Paul earned his bachelor's in business administration, becoming an entrepreneur, founding DeBruce Grain Inc., an international agricultural and grain-trading firm that he started solo and then expanded to 75 locations.
Linda was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority and a KU cheerleader. She earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education and pursued KU graduate school, where she earned two master's degrees.
The DeBruce Foundation has supported over 90 non-profit organizations and continues to give back to different services and organizations.
“We’re so grateful for the DeBruce family’s generosity and continued legacy of loyal support for KU,” said Chancellor Douglas A. Girod. “This incredible gift is an investment not just in the Gateway District but in our university, our students, and the state of Kansas.”
Kansas broke ground on the Booth renovations back in December of 2023. Holding its first practice in the new Booth last week. They will open their season at home on Aug. 23 against Fresno State.