Donors sue University of Chicago, aiming to revoke $100 million gift
CHICAGO - The donation to the University of Chicago in 2015 was as generous as it was ambitious: the Pearson Family Members Foundation pledged an eye-popping $100 million to establish a center devoted to finding new ways to resolve global conflicts.
Nearly three years later, that donation is in disarray.
The foundation, led by Thomas Pearson and his brother Timothy Pearson, is suing the university to recoup the $22.9 million it has already handed over, saying the university's leaders have failed to demonstrate they are using the landmark gift for its intended purpose.
They say the university, among other shortcomings, has failed to hire a full-time daily director to oversee the institute, develop academic curriculum, hire high-quality faculty or schedule the institute's annual forum as stipulated by the gift agreement,
