The University has renamed the College of Engineering to the David A. Duffield College of Engineering, following a historic donation pledge from its namesake, according to the Cornell Chronicle. At $371.5 million, David Duffield’s ’62 MBA ’64 pledge is the largest single gift in University history.
Duffield’s pledge will be divided between three initiatives at the engineering college — $250 million will establish the Duffield Legacy Fund to aid the college’s strategic operations, $71.5 million will start the Duffield Launch Fund to advance and renovate the college and $50 million will go toward promoting “educational excellence,” according to the Chronicle.
After Duffield’s graduation from the University, he founded six enterprise companies, including PeopleSoft, which Cornell uses to manage its student services, admissions data, faculty and alumni relationships, and Workday, Cornell’s interface for human resources and workforce management. He currently chairs his most recently founded company, Ridgeline. Duffield’s net worth is currently valued at $11 billion, according to Forbes.
Duffield is also one of only two founding company CEOs in the United States to have led two businesses to a valuation of $1 billion or higher, according to the Chronicle.
In 2018, Duffield was the first recipient of the Cornell Engineering Distinguished Alumnus Award, and was named Cornell Entrepreneur of the Year in 1996.
Duffield’s $371.5 million pledge adds to a list of gifts he has given to the University over time, including his $100 million commitment to the University in March 2025, funding the expansion of Duffield Hall which was first built in 2004 after Duffield provided major funding for the facility.
Totalling $550 million in overall giving to Cornell, Duffield is among the University’s all-time donors, according to the Chronicle.
Duffield said that he gives back to his alma mater because of his parents, who did not have the opportunity to pursue four-year college degrees. His donations are a "testament to their parenting,” Duffield told the Chronicle.
“Many Cornell graduates have gone on to make incredible contributions to society through their innovations,” President Michael Kotlikoff told the Chronicle. “Among this esteemed group, Dave Duffield stands out for his transformational accomplishments and his determination to do the greatest good.”
Duffield’s donation was a contribution to the University’s “To Do the Greatest Good” fundraising campaign, according to the Chronicle. The campaign aims to raise $5 billion for the University by 2026.
The pledge also comes amid the University receiving a $1.5 million grant from The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, which will add a post doctoral appointment to the engineering college.
“I welcome the opportunity to help advance technological research, innovation and leadership at Cornell,” Duffield told the Chronicle. “It’s a privilege to give back to my alma mater in ways that strengthen the university’s commitment to excellence.”
Varsha Bhargava is a member of the Class of 2027 in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She is a news editor for the 143rd Editorial Board and can be reached at vbhargava@cornellsun.com.
