The $1 million check went toward the creation of the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, one of five he funded in 1996. On Thursday night, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of those donations, business and political leaders around the state honored Pappajohn and his wife, Mary, at a dinner in downtown Des Moines.

Watch an interview with Pappajohn and read more in the Des Moines Register.