Land O' Lakes pledges $25M to the U of M

Land O' Lakes will announce a $25 million investment in the University of Minnesota Wednesday, with a focus on the school's athletics and academics. It's one of the largest single corporate commitments the U has ever received.

The $25 million will be given to the U between 2015 and 2024, according to a statement from the school. The Center for Excellence, part of the U's new Athletics Village project, will get $15 million. The center will focus on academics, nutrition and leadership development for student athletes and other students. Around $3.3 million will go toward supporting programs at the center, which is expected to open in 2016. Land O' Lakes will receive naming rights to the new center.

Other money will go toward Intercollegiate Athletic sponsorship and events, the establishment of an endowed chair in marketing at the Carlson School of Management, as well as support programming and scholarships at colleges on campus.

The Land O'Lakes Foundation and the U of M plan to announce the financial commitment at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.