The University of Chicago is one of three universities in the past two weeks to receive a gift of ... [+]
The past two weeks have seen major private gifts made to the University of Chicago, Denison University, and the University of California at San Diego, with each school reporting having received a donation of $20 million or more for various student and academic priorities.
University of Chicago
At the University of Chicago, anonymous donors combined to make a $24 million gift to support student veterans in the new Accelerated Booth Scholars Program.
The gift will provide qualified cohorts of student veterans in the University of Chicago Booth School of Business with financial aid to help cover program costs of the joint AB/MBA degree beginning in spring 2023. In addition to scholarship support, the recipients will be provided guidance on academics, internships, and networking opportunities.
“The University of Chicago has long benefited from the tremendous contributions of our veteran scholars,” said President Paul Alivisatos in the University’s November 11 news release. “They bring to the University a diversity of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, and I am delighted to know that this wonderful gift will bolster our efforts to recruit promising veterans and support them in accelerating the pathway toward realizing their educational aspirations.”
The first cohort includes three student veterans: Colin Augustson, former sergeant and veteran of the Marines, who was also selected for a highly competitive study abroad program at the London School of Economics; Nick Golin, former corporal, and another Marine veteran, with an interest in finance and an internship with Goldman Sachs lined up for next summer; and Robert Zamora, former sergeant and Army veteran, who has experience in foreign intelligence and an interest in commercial real estate.
Citing the “power of the union between civilians and the military,” the donors said, “we would like to thank the University of Chicago for its innovative and bold vision to create a program that is respectful of the time in service of our military veterans while recognizing the value that military service brings to an academic environment.
Denison University
Denison University, a private liberal arts institution in Granville, Ohio, has been given $21 million by two of its alums - Teckie and Don Shackelford - to create a scholarship endowment that will support Columbus City Schools students who attend Denison.
Teckie Shackelford is one of the founders of I Know I Can, a leading college access program in Columbus, Ohio that’s regarded as one of the largest and most successful college access programs in the nation. Denison formalized the Denison-Columbus Alliance in 2016, in partnership with I Know I Can, providing up to 20 students from Columbus City Schools with full-tuition scholarships to attend Denison each year.
“Their generosity will make Denison’s life-shaping educational experience attainable for scores of high-achieving high school students who otherwise might not be able to cover the cost of college,” said Denison President Adam Weinberg.
“Denison holds a cherished place in our hearts and has played a prominent role in our family’s story for generations,” Teckie Shackelford said. “As proud, lifelong residents of central Ohio, we care deeply about promoting education in the local community. We are passionate champions for Columbus City Schools and I Know I Can.”
The I Know I Can partnership is one of four scholarships set up by the Shackelfords at Denison. Currently, 84 Denison students are supported with scholarships from one of those programs.
University of California, San Diego
Hanna and Mark Gleiberman have committed $20 million to establish the Hanna and Mark Gleiberman Center for Glaucoma Research at the University of California, San Diego. The funds are designated to stimulate research on advanced glaucoma, with the ultimate goal of protecting and restoring the vision of those who suffer from the condition.
Mark Gleiberman, who himself has been diagnosed with and treated for glaucoma by physicians at UC San Diego’s Shiley Eye Institute, said, “I believe that the glaucoma team at Shiley, led by Dr. Weinreb, is truly the top glaucoma team in the world. Hanna and I hope that our donation will greatly assist in accelerating and enhancing the groundbreaking work already being done.”
In addition to establishing the new center, the Gleiberman gift will be used to endow three new faculty chairs — Hanna and Mark Gleiberman Chancellor’s Endowed Chair in Glaucoma Research I, II and III — to support the recruitment of exceptional vision scientists to the university.
“UC San Diego has an established history as one of the nation’s top places for vision care and research, and this gift will serve to bolster even further the leading-edge work taking place to combat glaucoma,” said UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. “We are grateful to Hanna and Mark Gleiberman for their visionary support of this new center, which follows their past generous support to combat cancer and address societal issues such as homelessness.”
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According to a February survey by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, voluntary giving to U.S. higher education institutions rose 6.9% in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, topping out at $52.9 billion. That was a 5.1% inflation-adjusted increase over the $49.5 billion raised in 2020. Given recent economic uncertainties, worries about a possible recession and a bearish stock market, it’s very much an open question as to whether higher education philanthropy will be able to equal those numbers in fiscal year 2022.
