The Eli J. and Helen Shaheen Collection in Architecture was established in 1995 by Eli Shaheen (’34, ’36 JD) and his wife, Helen. Eli taught at the University before serving as an officer in the Army during World War II. A community leader in Sturgis, Michigan, he was owner and president of the Sutton Tool Company before selling the company and forming Sturgis Enterprises.

Eli served on the Notre Dame Council 1477 of the Knights of Columbus for more than 50 years. In recognition of his service, the Knights of Columbus building on campus was dedicated to him in 1969. Eli and Helen’s two daughters, Christine Broussard and Paula Eide, are graduates of Saint Mary’s College. The Shaheens also supported the Eli J. and Helen Shaheen Collection in Philosophy, a fellowship in the Law School, the Eli J. Shaheen Professor of Classics, the Shaheen-Mestrovic Memorial, and two Endowments for Excellence.

The Shaheen Endowment supports the School of Architecture by providing resources on Italian architecture, representing all time periods and ranging from Palladio to 20th-century style. Specifically, it allows the Libraries to acquire rare classics and other imprints vital to a superb program in architecture.