BURLINGTON, Vt. - David Daigle '89, the chairman of the University of Vermont's Board of Trustees, and his wife Beth Daigle '89 have pledged $1,000,000 to UVM's proposed Multi-Purpose Center project. Their gift will be directed toward new facilities that will enhance student health and wellness on campus, as well as programs that encourage all UVM students to lead healthier lives.

The proposed Multi-Purpose Center will feature dramatic upgrades and a five-fold increase in the space dedicated to health, wellness and fitness facilities for the entire campus. The project also includes a spectacular new events center that will serve as the home for Catamount Men's and Women's Basketball while hosting a variety of campus and public events. Iconic Gutterson Fieldhouse will remain the home of UVM Men's and Women's Hockey, but with vast improvements for both players and fans.

The Daigles' long history of philanthropy at UVM has had a significant impact on each of the four priorities of Move Mountains: The Campaign for The University of Vermont – scholarships, faculty, facilities and academic programs. They have supported initiatives at UVM including the Grossman School of Business, the UVM Career Center, the UVM Cancer Center, faculty endowments, student scholarships and more.

"David and Beth Daigle truly embody the spirit and meaning of life-long leadership," said Tom Sullivan, president of the University of Vermont. "Their actions, announced today, will not only help us realize our vision for the Multi-Purpose Center but will continue to shape healthy, active and engaged students at UVM for generations to come."

The success of UVM's nationally-acclaimed Wellness Environment, a neuroscience-inspired behavior change program that incentivizes college students to build healthy brains and healthy bodies, played a significant role in the decision to support the Multi-Purpose Center at UVM. The Daigles believe that the Wellness Environment program can have a direct and positive impact on student academic success, which in turn increases the likelihood that UVM students will enjoy successful lives and careers after they graduate.

 "We are excited by the potential impact the proposed new Multi-Purpose Center can have on future generations of UVM students, and are pleased to help make the project a reality," said David and Beth Daigle. "Dedicated facilities will enable the expansion of health and wellness programs, including Wellness Environment, and can make an important contribution toward student success."

In addition to his position as the chairman of the University of Vermont's Board of Trustees, David also serves as an ex officio member of the UVM Foundation Board of Directors. David was born in Burlington, Vermont, and both he and Beth graduated from UVM in 1989. David holds an MBA with honors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and is a partner and portfolio manager at Capital Group. The couple resides in Greenwich, Connecticut with their three children, but they make frequent trips to Vermont.

"We know that donors are motivated by something deep inside that evokes their vision to make UVM an even better place than it is today," said Shane Jacobson, the president and CEO of the UVM Foundation. "For the Daigles, it's truly remarkable how their more than $2 million in commitments to UVM spans the entire university, from scholarships to faculty to facilities to academic programs. While the focus of this gift is the Multi-Purpose Center and UVM's wellness initiatives, the Daigles have once again demonstrated that their priority is the entire UVM experience."