The Kapnick Foundation donated $5 million to Weinberg College for Arts and Sciences for the creation of the Harvey Kapnick Center for Business Institutions and for the expansion of the Business Institutions Program.

The foundation’s gift is named after the late Chicago businessman Harvey Kapnick and is part of NU’s “We Will” campaign, a news release said. It brings the amount of campaign money benefiting the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences to more than $250 million.

With the donation, NU will create an endowed professorship, the Harvey Kapnick Professor of Business Institutions. Economics Prof. William Rogerson –– the current Charles E. and Emma H. Morrison Professor –– will receive this professorship and will become director of the center.

The Business Institutions Program is a minor in Weinberg, which connects students’ main field of study to management, accounting and leadership opportunities.

According to the news release, the BIP is the most popular minor at NU.

This is the second professorship endowed by the Kapnick family. The first chair –– established in 1988 –– is also named the Harvey Kapnick Professor of Business Institutions and is currently held by Ronald Braeutigam, associate provost for undergraduate education and a faculty member in the economics department.

University President Morton Schapiro said in a news release that he has known the Kapnick family for years and is thrilled to see the foundation build upon Harvey Kapnick’s legacy as an “insightful and highly ethical business leader.”

Scott Kapnick, Harvey Kapnick’s son, said his family is delighted to continue supporting the university.

“Our hope is that this gift will allow more students to benefit from the broad, interdisciplinary perspective that will prepare them as visionary leaders in their careers,” he said in the release.

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