The Online Reflector

Indianapolis philanthropist Christel DeHaan celebrated her 70th birthday  in October. DeHaan has founded and donated to a number of organizations in Indianapolis, including Christel House International, the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation and the University of Indianapolis Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center.

Christel House Academy is a global nonprofit organization of schools around the world, specifically focusing on educating children in poverty. Christel House Academy is located in Indianapolis and is part of the Christel House International schools. The academy  was founded in 2002 and is a public charter elementary, middle and high school. DeHaan donated the majority of the $130 million cost to build the school.

The Christel DeHaan Family Foundation serves to financially support arts and cultural organizations in central Indiana. According to DeHaan’s statement on the organization’s website, “a community rich in artistic offerings enhances quality of life by providing opportunities to enjoy, learn and appreciate creative expression.” Promoting this type of community, she said, is the mission of the organization.

“We enthusiastically support a wide range of organizations that produce excellent and diverse artistic product,” she wrote. “By so doing, we contribute to making our community a richer and more vibrant place.”

DeHaan initially came to wealth from time-share properties.

In many of the organizations she is part of, her goal has related in part to addressing the issue of poverty. As a part of Christel House International, she has founded and served on the boards of schools in Mexico, South Africa, and Venezuela. She also has served on the UIndy board of trustees for a number of years.

Professor of Art and Design Dee Schaad has taught at the university for 38 years and remembers when the Fine Arts Center was constructed. During this time, Benjamin Lantz was president of the university.

“It [the Fine Arts Center] was named after her because she provided the stimulus to do this,” he said. “He [Lantz] oversaw the construction. He is retired but is still vigorous in the community.”

DeHaan is a reported advocate of Indiana legislation to allow students to choose to attend charter, public or private schools. DeHaan also is politically active and has donated more than $2.3 million to both Republican and Democratic campaigns.

Freshman nursing major Ashley Jones said that she does not know much about Christel DeHaan or about the naming of any of the other buildings on campus, but that she would like to know more.

“I know that it [the Fine Arts Center] was named after her because she donated money to build it,” she said. “But beyond that, I don’t really know, or about any of the other buildings. I think it would be interesting to know, though.”

Schaad said that he has met DeHaan, and that she was very personable. Although he said she probably will not remember him, he will remember her.

“She is a very nice lady,” he said. “She did not provide the money to have her name on the building, but because she makes a difference.”