George Mason University secures $20 million donation for computing initiative

In the United States, three universities have recently received significant donations aimed at enhancing educational initiatives. George Mason University has announced a $20 million gift provided by the Kimmy Duong Foundation. This financial support will significantly benefit the School of Computing, which is set to be renamed the Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong School of Computing. A portion of this donation may also qualify for matching funds under a Virginia initiative aimed at increasing the number of graduates in computing fields, potentially elevating the total impact to $36 million. The funds from this generous gift will be allocated to create three endowments, providing long-term financial support for the university's computing department. George Mason University President Gregory Washington highlighted the significance of this contribution, particularly in light of Kimmy Duong’s inspiring journey from Vietnam to success in the U.S. He emphasized how her story resonates with many of the university's students, many of whom overcome substantial challenges similar to those faced by Duong. Her past support includes a $5 million donation in 2009 for the Nguyen Engineering Building at the university. Similarly, Creighton University announced on April 22, 2025, that it had received a $10 million bequest from alumnus Elno Zikmund and his wife, Tillie. This endowment is aimed at supporting students through the Elno T. and Mathilda M. Zikmund Endowed Scholarship, which they established in 2010. The Zikmund family's contribution underscores the ongoing commitment to enhancing educational opportunities at Creighton University and reflects their desire to support future generations of scholars. The University of San Diego also reported a generous contribution of $10 million from Dan and Phyllis Epstein, aimed at establishing the Epstein Family Foundation Military-Connected Center for Excellence. The donation is intended to support military-connected students who require additional resources to thrive in their educational pursuits. Furthermore, the Epsteins are encouraging other potential donors, framing their gift as a challenge to match their $10 million donation. These donations collectively enhance the capabilities of these three universities, ensuring that they are well-equipped to support their current and future student populations, especially those from challenging backgrounds.