News Summary
Three universities, including George Mason University, Creighton University, and the University of San Diego, have received significant multimillion-dollar donations to bolster student services. George Mason University secured a $20 million donation from the Kimmy Duong Foundation, while Creighton University received $10 million from alumnus Elno Zikmund. The University of San Diego also announced a $10 million contribution from the Epstein Family Foundation focused on military-connected students. These donations total $40 million and aim to address rising tuition costs and improve educational outcomes.
Fairfax, Virginia – In a significant boost to higher education funding, three universities have recently announced multimillion-dollar donations aimed at enhancing student services and initiatives. George Mason University, Creighton University, and the University of San Diego stand to benefit from these substantial contributions, totaling $40 million over the past 10 days.
George Mason University received a remarkable $20 million donation from the Kimmy Duong Foundation, with the potential for this amount to grow to $36 million due to matching funds available through Virginia’s Tech Talent Investment Program. Recognizing the impact of this generous donation, the university’s Board of Visitors has decided to rename its School of Computing to the Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong School of Computing.
The funds will be allocated toward the creation of three endowments aimed at fostering student success. Of these, two endowments are designated to support scholarships and various initiatives within George Mason’s College of Engineering. The third will establish the Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong Scholarship Endowment, specifically prioritizing students majoring in nursing, education, or journalism.
Moving west, Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, made headlines with a $10 million bequest from alumnus Elno Zikmund and his wife, Tillie. This donation is aimed at providing unrestricted scholarships to students, thereby enhancing the university’s financial aid offerings. The Zikmunds had previously contributed to the university by establishing the Elno T. and Mathilda M. Zikmund Endowed Scholarship in 2010, which supports students from various disciplines.
The president of Creighton University expressed appreciation for the Zikmund family’s generous gift, noting the profound impact it would have on students who benefit from the financial assistance.
Meanwhile, on May 1, the University of San Diego announced a significant $10 million donation from Dan and Phyllis Epstein, through their Epstein Family Foundation. This funding is designated to establish a new Military-Connected Center for Excellence aimed at aiding military-connected students. In addition to this initial contribution, the Epstein family has issued a challenge to raise an additional $10 million in matching donations to further support the center’s initiatives.
Dan Epstein, the executive chairman and founder of the ConAm Group, emphasized the importance of providing essential resources for military-connected students and has called upon the community to support this initiative. The president of the University of San Diego also expressed gratitude for the Epstein family’s support, highlighting its significance in fulfilling the university’s commitments toward helping military-affiliated individuals succeed in their studies.
These donations come in the context of ongoing efforts across the nation to bolster financial support for higher education amid rising tuition costs and financial barriers faced by students. The contributions from Kimmy Duong and her husband, Long Nguyen to George Mason University, are particularly noteworthy. Duong, a native of Vietnam who graduated from the University of Saigon in 1966, has a history of philanthropic engagement. After co-founding the technology firm Pragmatics in 1994, she established the Kimmy Duong Foundation in 2015, focusing on health, education, and welfare initiatives in both the U.S. and Vietnam.
These investments reflect a growing trend among alumni and philanthropic organizations to provide resources that can significantly impact the educational experiences and success of students. As universities continue to seek out innovative ways to enhance student services and support, such donations play a vital role in shaping the future of education in the United States.
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Additional Resources
- Northern Virginia Magazine: GMU Renames School of Computing
- Wikipedia: George Mason University
- Forbes: Major Naming Gifts to Universities
- Google Search: George Mason University donations
- GoMason: GMU Athletics Donor Guidebook
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Philanthropy
- New York Times: Koch Donors at GMU
- Google News: Koch Foundation George Mason
Author: STAFF HERE CORONADO
The Coronado Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HERECoronado.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Coronado, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Coronado Island Film Festival, productions at Lamb’s Players Theatre, community workshops at John D. Spreckels Center, and iconic celebrations at Hotel del Coronado. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Coronado Chamber of Commerce and Visit Coronado, plus leading businesses in hospitality, dining, and tourism that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERESanDiego.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
