David Duffield, a billionaire entrepreneur from Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, has donated $100 million to Cornell University, the largest donation ever made to the university’s engineering program.
The funds will be used to expand Duffield Hall, currently Cornell’s central engineering facility. It will then become the new home for the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Duffield, who is 84 years old, attended Ridgewood High School and graduated in 1958. He later studied at Cornell University, where he first worked with early mainframe computers.
This early exposure to technology led to his career in software development. He founded six business software companies, including PeopleSoft and Workday, and has a net worth of approximately $14.4 billion.
- David Duffield’s $100 million gift is the largest donation in Cornell’s engineering program history and will help expand Duffield Hall by 2027.
- The new facility will house the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and provide lab space for work in AI, robotics, and quantum computing.
- Duffield, worth $14.4 billion, also donated $10 million to Ho-Ho-Kus schools and $635,000 to Ridgewood High School, where he studied before Cornell.
Expansion to Include New Lab Space and Modern Research Facilities
According to Cornell University, Duffield’s donation will be used to expand Duffield Hall into the area now taken up by Phillips Hall.
Phillips Hall has housed the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering since 1955. The expanded Duffield Hall will be designed to support modern research needs.
When construction is complete in 2027, the building will include more lab space for important research areas. These areas include quantum computing, artificial intelligence, robotics, and semiconductor materials and devices. The construction is set to begin in 2025.
Cornell interim President Michael I. Kotlikoff said that Duffield’s support has greatly helped the university’s research, education, and campus life.
Duffield previously donated money for the original Duffield Hall, which was completed in 2004. His donations have continued to help Cornell expand its programs and facilities.
Duffield Has Also Donated to Schools in New Jersey
David Duffield has also supported schools in his hometown. In December 2022, he gave $10 million to the Ho-Ho-Kus school district. This was the largest donation the district had ever received. The money was used to build a new gym, which opened in September 2023.
In 2021, Duffield donated $635,000 to Ridgewood High School, where he graduated in 1958. This donation supported STEAM programs, which focus on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
After his donation to Ho-Ho-Kus schools, students held up a sign that said “thank you” and sang the song “Thankful” in appreciation.
