The North Dakota State University School of Music is changing its name to honor two longtime supporters of the program and the university.
The Robert and Sheila Challey School of Music will be unveiled prior to a free concert by members of the popular quintet Boston Brass on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 7:30 p.m. at Festival Concert Hall.
“It’s a tremendous honor,” said Robert Challey, BS, ’67, chemistry. “It’s the kind of thing you never think about or aspire to. To have our family name associated with NDSU and the School of Music means a great deal to us.”
Robert and Sheila Challey have served NDSU and its students through many generous donations, committee work and fundraising efforts. The school’s name change is the result of a $2.1 million pledge from Robert and Sheila Challey to the school’s current endowment campaign, now totaling nearly $3.15 million.
Robert and Sheila Challey previously pledged $2.15 million to the school of music in 2006 to fund scholarships for music majors.
Hundreds of NDSU music students have benefitted during the last decade from the Challey Scholarship Fund, which awards several multi-year scholarships. The scholarships include a four-year, full-tuition award to one student each year called the Bill Euren Scholarship in honor of Robert Challey’s uncle. The Robert and Sheila Challey School of Music awards 75-100 Challey scholarships each year, according to Bill Law, assistant director of the Division of Performing Arts.
“I firmly believe that the Challeys’ generosity is unique because of their intentional investment in others,” said Emily Custer, BMUS, ’13, music, a former Bill Euren Scholarship recipient who is pursuing a master’s degree in music composition at Bowling Green State University. “Without a doubt, their generosity is exceptional and their influence is far-reaching.”
Robert Challey was student body vice president, a member of the Blue Key Honor Society, producer for the student musical “Oklahoma” and drum major and trombonist with the NDSU Gold Star Band. He is a successful real-estate developer and investor in California with a long and dedicated history of service at NDSU.
Robert Challey was named to the NDSU Development Foundation board of trustees in 1981, and has served on numerous committees and advisory boards. He received an Alumni Achievement Award in 1986 and the Development Foundation’s Service Award in 2002. He played a key role in bringing the Smuin Ballet of San Francisco to Fargo twice in recent years. Challey is a Founding Trustee of Smuin Ballet of San Francisco.
Robert Challey received an honorary doctorate from NDSU in 2009.
“Through their generous support and sponsorship, Bob and Sheila Challey have profoundly elevated the stature of NDSU music and our mission to serve our students and the public. This is only the beginning.” Said John Miller, director of the Division of Performing Arts.
Robert Challey is the son of the late Clyde and Myrtle Challey, both NDSU graduates. Myrtle Challey taught food and nutrition classes at NDSU during the 1960s. Robert's uncle was Bill Euren, director of the NDSU Gold Star Band from 1948 to 1968.
Sheila Challey is an active member of Bison Arts, a social and fundraising organization for the NDSU Division of Performing Arts. She also is a volunteer fundraiser for Children’s Hospital of Oakland and serves on their Auxiliary Branches Board as Trustee.
“I got to study saxophone for five years with the Challeys’ gift. It allowed me to travel and compete alongside a dedicated group of NDSU students. Receiving the scholarship positively affected my life in so many ways,” said Andrew Budke, BS, ’11, music and environmental design, a former Bill Euren Scholarship recipient.
Robert and Sheila Challey have three children and live in Danville and Lake Tahoe, California. Robert Challey is chairman of the board of The Park Place Group, a real estate development and investment company in Walnut Creek, California.
The atrium of the NDSU Reineke Fine Arts Center was named for Robert Challey in 2009 to recognize his dedication to the university and its music students.
“We see giving to the School of Music as a way to make a difference to students,” Sheila Challey said. “It’s very rewarding to see what a difference we can make in students’ lives. We’re very proud to be associated with such a wonderful program at NDSU.”
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation’s top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.