Cornell Receives $371.5M Pledge From Alumnus Entrepreneur

Cornell University has received a pledge of $371.5 million from alumnus and software entrepreneur David Duffield, marking the largest single gift in the institution’s history.

Combined with previous gifts from Duffield—which now total $550 million—the new contribution will establish the Cornell David A. Duffield College of Engineering. Cornell is already home to Duffield Hall, which was completed in 2004 and houses research and teaching facilities for nanoscale science and engineering. Last year Duffield pledged $100 million—at the time, the largest gift in Cornell’s history—to update and expand the eponymous building.

The new pledge will be used primarily for endowment funds, including $250 million for the Duffield Legacy Fund, which will support the university’s ongoing strategic pursuits, and $50 million to advance key priorities related to educational excellence. The remainder will create the Duffield Launch Fund, which will support updating the college’s physical infrastructure, strengthening research facilities, supporting teaching and learning, and advancing research excellence.

“I welcome the opportunity to help advance technological research, innovation and leadership at Cornell,” Duffield said in news release. “I’ve worked closely with many Cornellians over the years, and they consistently demonstrate exceptional leadership, creativity and problem-solving abilities. It’s a privilege to give back to my alma mater in ways that strengthen the university’s commitment to excellence.”

Duffield has credited his Cornell professors for setting him on the path to success. He went on to become the founding CEO of two companies— PeopleSoft and Workday—that were each valued at $1 billion or more at their initial public offerings.