The past week saw four public universities – the University of Minnesota, the University of Texas at El Paso, Idaho State University and the University of Virginia – report that they had received multi-million-dollar gifts from private donors. A fifth institution – Texas Tech University – also announced what its president called a “historic gift” but did not specify its amount.
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota announced that its College of Continuing and Professional Studies (CCAPS) had received a $32.5 million unrestricted gift from one of its alums – Karin L. Larson, who had worked her way up the ladder at Capital Group where she ultimately became the first female research director
Larson, who passed away in 2021, bequeathed her gift to provide financial aid for CCAPS students. She was a long-time financial supporter of the college, which has established an endowment with the funds that will continue to provide student support annually.
This fall, more than 80 students received more than $250,000 in support from the Karin L. Larson Legacy Scholarship. According to the university’s news announcement, CCAPS is also exploring how to use the endowment to create flexible educational pathways for more students and to provide the financial, academic and personalized support they need to succeed.
“Karin Larson’s incredible generosity in support of U of M students is a fitting legacy for an alumna who stayed so involved with CCAPS students and programs throughout her life,” said U of M President Joan Gabel. “Our systemwide strategic plan, MPact 2025, specifically commits to increasing financial aid and reducing student debt. This extraordinary contribution provides meaningful support to achieving those goals and, most importantly, will change the lives of so many students.”
University of Texas at El Paso
The Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation has given the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) $25 million, which the university says is the largest gift in its history. In recognition of the donation, the university will name its college of business the Woody L. Hunt College of Business.
The gift will go into an endowment that will support various enhancements in teaching and research on trade and commerce between the United States and Mexico.
“Mexico is America’s second-largest trading partner, and 20% of U.S. trade with Mexico flows through El Paso,” said UTEP President Heather Wilson. “This generous gift from the Hunt family will make the Woody L. Hunt College of Business the place to go to study and research trade and business between our countries. This is a transformational gift that will impact this region for decades to come.”
The new endowment will help create two distinguished chairs, a distinguished professorship and multiple endowed scholarships and fellowships. It will also provide funding for academic, research and professional development initiatives within the college of business.
Idaho State University
Idaho State University announced that it had received a $10 million gift from an anonymous donor for its Physician Assistant Studies (PA) program. The donation, which the university described as “one of the largest scholarship gifts ever received by Idaho State,” will provide scholarship support for all of the students enrolled in the PA program.
Dr. Paula Phelps, Associate Director of the program, said one of the donor’s goals was to increase the number of physician assistants working in rural areas.“He hopes that if students have less student loan debt, that they will be able to afford to practice as a PA in a small rural town and not be forced to take a higher paying job in a big city,” Phelps said.
The university indicated that instead of personal recognition, the anonymous donor, “a longtime supporter of higher education,” had one request of students who receive the support. “My only wish is that sometime in the future you help someone else,” he is reported to have said.
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia (UVA) received what it characterized as a “multi-million-dollar” gift commitment from UVA alum Drew McKnight and his wife Amy.
The gift will be used to create two professorships for the UVA Center for Politics. The first will be for a tenured Bicentennial Professor of Politics, and the other will establish the John S. McCain Professor of Practice. The gift, along with other private donations, will be supplemented with additional matching funds from the University’s Bicentennial Professors Fund.
The two professorships are the result of discussions between the McKnights, UVA President Jim Ryan, Center for Politics founder Larry Sabato, Robert Kent Gooch Professor of Politics, and UVA alumnus Peter Kiernan. Founded in 1998 by Sabato, UVA’s Center for Politics promotes civics education as well as research and teaching about politics.
“I am incredibly grateful to Drew and Amy, not only for their generous gift, but also for their thoughtful and creative approach to addressing persistent political challenges,” President Ryan said. “These two professorships, which will bring both scholarly and practical perspectives to this work, will strengthen the Center for Politics and help to encourage political and civic engagement among our students and the public.”
Texas Tech University
In recognition of what it described as a “generous donation” from alumni and long-time supporters Chris and Robin Huckabee, Texas Tech University will rename its College of Architecture the Huckabee College of Architecture.
The Huckabee family made the gift in honor of their father, Tommie J. Huckabee, who also attended Texas Tech before going on to found his own major architectural firm that specializes in the design of education facilities.
The university said the the gift “will provide access to resources that elevate the educational experience for students and faculty while also supporting first-generation students, student scholarship, faculty enhancement and areas of greatest need.” It will also be used to revitalize the college’s infrastructure through renovations to its classrooms, technology, and landscaping.
“The College of Architecture is renowned for producing technically-trained, high-performing architects, and this historic gift from the Huckabee family will enhance the already exceptional student educational experience,” said Texas Tech President Schovanec. “The Huckabee family’s commitment will have an immediate impact on our students, faculty, and staff, and generations of graduates will benefit from the legacy of this gift.”
