USD Receives Record-Breaking Pledge During Founders Gala
Transformative Gift Will Create a New Home for Integrative STEM Studies
The University of San Diego (USD) tonight received a record-breaking financial pledge totaling $75 million from Darlene Marcos Shiley, philanthropist and Chair Emerita of USD’s Board of Trustees.
Announced during the university’s 75th Anniversary Founders Gala at Petco Park, the gift is the largest in USD history and among the largest ever given to any Catholic university in the country. The funding will touch several areas of USD’s campus, with a primary emphasis on creating what will be known as the ‘Shiley STEM Initiative’, expanding innovative STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs, and constructing a new, state-of-the-art STEM facility on the USD campus.
The gift will usher in an exciting new era and light the way forward for students for decades to come, said USD President James T. Harris III, DEd.
“Darlene Shiley is one of the most generous and kind individuals that anyone could ever meet. She’s always looking out for humanity and the best interests of our society, and she particularly loves our students,” Harris said. “We are a better institution because of Donald and Darlene Shiley and what they’ve decided to do for this institution and what they’ve done for this world. In our vision statement we talk about leading with love, and Donald and Darlene Shiley have always led with love.”
— USD News Center