Awards

Presidents Circle Laurel Pin - 2013

Benefactor

About Stanley W. Benecki

Stanley W. Benecki, who earned a bachelor's degree in real estate from IU in 1981, has donated five undeveloped, beachfront lots now valued at $1.95 million to the Kelley School. The lots are on historic Dog Island, Fla.

Under the direction of faculty and the IU Foundation, students will be given the opportunity to assess, market and ultimately sell the land at a much higher price to maximize the value of Benecki's gift. Proceeds from the land's sale will be used to establish and support endowments for the Kelley School's Center for Real Estate Studies, a professorship and an undergraduate scholarship program. All are being named for Benecki.

"Experiential learning is one of the hallmarks of the Kelley School," said Kelley School Dean Daniel C. Smith. "This gift is truly special in that our real estate students will gain invaluable hands-on experience in managing the sale of the gift property. Proceeds from the sale will benefit students for years to come. It is an honor to name the center in recognition of Mr. Benecki's incredible career in real estate and his generosity to the school."

Benecki has developed many luxury homes in Atlanta; Sea Island, Ga.; the greater Chicago area; and along the Florida Gulf Coast. After earning his degree from IU, Benecki went to work for commercial real estate innovator Arthur Rubloff in Chicago. Later, with Bennett and Kahnweiler in Chicago, Benecki was involved in three of the 10 largest, office real estate transactions in the late 1980s.

After working several years in commercial real estate, he returned to school and earned a master's degree from Columbia University's School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation in real estate development. He relocated his business to Atlanta a few years ago.