GMU Receives $20 Million Donation for School of Computing

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An artistic representation of George Mason University's commitment to education through philanthropy.

News Summary

George Mason University has announced a $20 million donation from the Kimmy Duong Foundation, leading to the renaming of its School of Computing to honor the couple’s philanthropic contributions. This donation will establish multiple endowments aimed at enhancing scholarships and student success within various academic fields, reflecting GMU’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities. Additionally, the university may further benefit from matching funds, positioning itself competitively in technology education.

Fairfax, Virginia – George Mason University (GMU) has announced a significant $20 million donation from the Kimmy Duong Foundation to its School of Computing. This substantial financial gift has led GMU’s Board of Visitors to vote in favor of renaming the School of Computing to the Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong School of Computing. This renaming honors the philanthropic efforts of Duong and her husband, Long Nguyen, who have made impactful contributions to the university.

The donation comes amidst a series of multimillion-dollar gifts made to institutions across the country, including Creighton University and the University of San Diego, which have also reported substantial funding for their educational initiatives in recent weeks. The overall impact of GMU’s gift could potentially increase to $36 million due to eligibility for matching funds from Virginia’s Tech Talent Investment Program.

The funds from this donation will establish three endowments at GMU. Two of these endowments are aimed at supporting scholarships and student success initiatives within the College of Engineering and Computing. A third endowment, the Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong Scholarship Endowment, will specifically provide scholarships with a preference for students majoring in nursing, education, or journalism. This initiative is part of GMU’s broader efforts to expand the number of graduates in computing degrees and enhance support for students from various fields.

George Mason University’s President, Gregory Washington, noted the significance of this contribution and emphasized the inspirational success stories of Kimmy Duong and Long Nguyen, who have both overcome considerable challenges in their lives. Duong’s journey began when she arrived in the United States from Vietnam in 1975 with just $30. Through determination and resilience, she found success in the technology industry and has since dedicated herself to supporting educational and health initiatives through her foundation.

This is not the first major gift the couple has provided to GMU. In 2009, they donated $5 million for the construction of the Nguyen Engineering Building, further solidifying their commitment to advancing educational opportunities at the university.

Other institutions have also recently achieved similar successes with significant donations. Creighton University announced a $10 million bequest from Elno Zikmund and his wife, Tillie, which aims to support unrestricted scholarships. Meanwhile, the University of San Diego received a $10 million donation from Dan and Phyllis Epstein designated for the new Military-Connected Center for Excellence. This gift includes a challenge to raise an additional $10 million in matching donations to further support military-connected students.

The Kimmy Duong Foundation, established in 2015, focuses on enhancing health, education, and welfare initiatives within the United States and Vietnam, demonstrating a commitment to improving lives through philanthropic efforts. While the renaming of GMU’s School of Computing is currently subject to approval from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, the initial actions surrounding the donation position the university to make significant strides in supporting both computing and other essential academic programs.

As GMU moves forward, the university aims to leverage this donation to foster growth within its computing programs while simultaneously offering vital support to various other majors. The initiative positions GMU as a competitive institution in the growing field of technology education, reflecting broader trends in higher education towards investing in scholarship opportunities for students.