A multimillion dollar gift from a Kansas University alumnus and his wife will create a Center for Figure Sense in the KU School of Business.

Roger and Julie Davis of Chicago donated $250,000 plus committed $7 million from their estate to begin and support the center, aimed at teaching students how to use complex data to make better business decisions, KU announced Tuesday.

Roger Davis explained the couple’s view of the concept and its importance: “We think of ‘figure sense’ as the effectiveness with which people select and evaluate evidence before making a decision or taking action. Strong figure sense requires a solid understanding of accounting, economics, finance and statistical analysis — and the ability to persuasively communicate recommendations and supporting evidence.”

No new classes will be created, according to KU’s news release, but the outright gift will fund the hiring of an academic director to begin working with faculty and staff “to enhance students’ figure sense across the business school curricula.”

“In a complex and rapidly changing world, the challenge is not how to get enough data but to learn how to ask the right questions and sift through the sources of and biases in data, in order to make better decisions,” business dean Neeli Bendapudi said, in the news release.

Roger Davis, owner and CEO of Paxton/Patterson in Chicago, which according to the company website provides learning systems and supplies for technology, engineering, health science and other career and technical education programs. Davis earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration from KU in 1972. According to KU, the couple also previously donated $1 million toward construction of Capitol Federal Hall.