The Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana, has announced a $10 million gift from alumnus and board chair Niles Noblitt ('73) and his wife, Nancy.

The gift will support student recruitment efforts aimed at ensuring that Rose-Hulman attracts gifted students and equips them with the skills they need to make a positive impact on society. After graduating from Rose-Hulman with a degree in biological engineering, Noblitt co-founded Biomet, Inc., a biomedical device company based in Warsaw, Indiana, that today operates as Zimmer Biomet. Noblitt, who helped develop total joint prosthetic devices and processes that continue to benefit thousands of patients worldwide, joined the compamy's board of directors in 1977 and served as chair from 1986 until his retirement in 2007. He currently serves as board chair of Atlanta-based MedShape, Inc., which manufactures foot and ankle orthopedic devices.

"Our goal is to give back to the institute so it can continue to attract the very best students," said Noblitt, who, with his wife, previously established a scholarship fund at Rose-Hulman. "Nancy and I want the institute to continue to draw gifted students who are leaders and whose immediate contributions will make a difference on campus and in the world."

"This generous gift from Niles and Nancy only helps to strengthen the position of Rose-Hulman as the premier educator of students in the STEM fields globally," said Rose-Hulman president Robert A. Coons. "We'll be announcing exciting details at our August 27 opening symposium about the programming this gift will help support as envisioned by the Noblitts, which is sure to further distinguish Rose-Hulman from other institutions of higher learning."