News Summary
Three prestigious universities in the U.S. have received significant multimillion-dollar donations aimed at enhancing educational initiatives. George Mason University is set to receive a $20 million donation, while Creighton University and the University of San Diego both secured $10 million contributions. These funds will create scholarships and dedicated centers to support student success, particularly focusing on military-connected individuals and fields such as engineering, nursing, and education. The philanthropic efforts highlight the increasing importance of private donations in advancing higher education.
Major Donations Boost Higher Education Initiatives
Fairfax, Virginia — Three universities across the United States have received significant multimillion-dollar donations that promise to transform their educational initiatives. Notable contributions include a $20 million donation to George Mason University, a $10 million bequest to Creighton University, and a $10 million donation to the University of San Diego.
George Mason University Receives $20 Million Donation
The Kimmy Duong Foundation has pledged $20 million to George Mason University, which could potentially rise to a total impact of $36 million, thanks to matching funds available through Virginia’s Tech Talent Investment Program. In recognition of this substantial gift, the university’s Board of Visitors will rename the School of Computing to the Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong School of Computing.
The donation will establish three endowments to enhance educational opportunities. Two of these endowments will focus on scholarships and initiatives aimed at promoting student success within the College of Engineering. The third endowment is designated as the Long Nguyen and Kimmy Dong Scholarship Endowment, with a focus on supporting students majoring in nursing, education, or journalism. This initiative reflects the ongoing commitment of Kimmy Duong and Long Nguyen to advance educational opportunities.
Creighton University Announces $10 Million Bequest
Meanwhile, Creighton University has announced a $10 million bequest from alumni Elno Zikmund and his wife Tillie. This donation, one of the largest unrestricted gifts for scholarships, is intended to support students across various fields of study. In 2010, the couple established the Elno T. and Mathilda M. Zikmund Endowed Scholarship at Creighton, further underscoring their commitment to education.
University of San Diego Receives Donation for Military-Connected Students
The University of San Diego has also secured a $10 million donation from Dan and Phyllis Epstein through the Epstein Family Foundation. This gift aims to establish the Epstein Family Foundation Military-Connected Center for Excellence, which will support students with military connections, including active-duty personnel, veterans, and their families. Additionally, the Epstein gift includes a challenge for an additional $10 million in matching funds.
Background on Philanthropic Contributions
Kimmy Duong, a prominent figure behind the generous donation to George Mason University, immigrated to the United States from Vietnam in 1975 with only $30. Throughout her career, she has emphasized the importance of education, having earned a BS in economics and law from the University of Saigon in 1966. Duong has held significant roles, including serving as vice chairwoman and CFO at Pragmatics, a technology company. In 2015, she established the Kimmy Duong Foundation to support health, education, and welfare initiatives both in the U.S. and Vietnam. In 2009, she and her husband Long Nguyen made a previous contribution of $5 million to create the Nguyen Engineering Building at George Mason.
Elno Zikmund, whose bequest bolsters Creighton University, has been an active participant in the university’s initiatives and is expected to impact numerous students through this unrestricted funding. At the same time, the Epstein family’s support of military-connected students underscores the importance of providing tailored resources to foster educational opportunities for those who have served or are currently serving in the military.
These significant contributions illustrate not only the commitment of individuals and foundations to enhancing educational access and resources but also highlight the evolving landscape of philanthropy in higher education.
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GMU Receives $20 Million Donation from Kimmy Duong Foundation
George Mason University Receives $20 Million Donation
Epstein Family Donates $10 Million to USD for Military Students
GMU Receives $20 Million Donation for School of Computing
George Mason University Receives Landmark $20 Million Donation
Additional Resources
- Northern Virginia Magazine: George Mason University Renames Its School of Computing
- Forbes: Major Naming Gifts to Universities
- George Mason Athletics News: 2024 Donor Guidebook
- Virginia Mercury: Keeping Donors Secret
- New York Times: Koch Donors and George Mason University
- Wikipedia: Philanthropy in Education
- Google Search: Major Donations in Higher Education
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Philanthropy
- Google Scholar: Philanthropy in Higher Education
- Google News: Education Donations
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