On Sunday, September 5, Carthage College announced receipt of a $7 million gift from the Tarble Family Foundation of Los Angeles to help finance the College’s new Student Union, now under construction on campus. The announcement took place during Carthage’s New Student Convocation program.

Ground was broken April 24 for the $14 million Student Union, which is scheduled for completion in Autumn 2011. The facility will provide gathering space for student groups, expanded dining facilities, a theatre/art gallery, and a new book and convenience store.

“We’re most grateful for the Tarble family’s generosity, displayed over two generations,” said F. Gregory Campbell, president of the College. “Jan Tarble has continued her family’s tradition of support for excellence in higher education. Many Carthage students already have been the beneficiaries of their generosity, future generations will have another reason to thank the Tarble family.”

Newton E. Tarble (1888-1976) was one of the principal founders of Kenosha’s Snap-on Incorporated in 1920. He retired from Snap-on as vice president and sales manager in 1935, but continued as a director of the company until his death in 1976. The Tarbles became involved with Carthage when Snap-on executives supported the College’s move to Kenosha from Illinois in the early 1960s.

Louise A. (Pat) Tarble (1902-2003) was a Chicago native who moved to California with her family in the 1940s. Mrs. Tarble’s 1998 gift of $11 million helped fund construction of the $23 million N. E. Tarble Athletic and Recreation Center—the TARC--named in honor of her late husband. It remains the largest gift in Carthage history, and one of the largest ever to any private college or university in Wisconsin.

Jan Tarble has continued her parents’ tradition of philanthropy with the Tarble Family Foundation’s support for educational and environmental causes, including the lead gift for the Tarble Arena renovation in 2006.

“This gift not only provides a foundation for our campaign for the Student Union, but markedly advances the Celebrating Carthage campaign,” said Glenn Miller, Carthage’s vice president for college relations.

The Celebrating Carthage campaign is the College’s initiative to raise $165 million — $1 million for each year of Carthage’s existence — by 2012, the 165th anniversary of the College’s founding.