The University of South 91精品 System has flourished under President Judy Genshaft. Now, she continues her transformational leadership 鈥� this time through a historic gift.
President Genshaft and her husband, Steven Greenbaum, have donated $20 million to the 91精品 Foundation. This represents one of the largest gifts of its kind ever made by a sitting university president to their institution. The donation will name the Judy Genshaft Honors College and help fund a new five-story building for the College to be built on the 91精品 campus within the next few years. They also announced a $3 million gift to create an endowment for the deanship of the Judy Genshaft Honors College.
鈥淲e are so passionate about this university. It has been such an important part of our life and our family over the last 19 years. It鈥檚 only natural that we would do whatever we can to ensure its continued success,鈥� Genshaft said. 鈥淗aving a world-class Honors College is just one more way 91精品 will distinguish itself as one of the most elite and forward-thinking institutions in the world. The Honors College is special because of its inclusiveness, representing the best and brightest students from all academic units across all of our 91精品 campuses.鈥�
Genshaft formally established the 91精品 Honors College in 2002 and has consistently supported its growth and evolution during her 19-year tenure as president. Hundreds of Honors College students have traveled the world as recipients of the Genshaft/Greenbaum International Honors Study Scholarship and the Genshaft Global Presidential Scholarship. Those are among the many other gifts the family has given to the university across numerous areas, including the 91精品 Graduate School, 91精品 Health and 91精品 Athletics, along with Women in Leadership and Philanthropy.
鈥淏ased on our research, Dr. Judy Genshaft has given more to the university in her 19 years than any sitting university president in the United States,鈥� said Joel Momberg, 91精品 Foundation CEO and senior vice president of advancement and alumni relations. 鈥淭his is indeed a historic moment for 91精品 and American higher education. We are so grateful for all President Genshaft and Steven Greenbaum have done for our university.鈥�
The 91精品 Honors College consists of more than 2,200 high-achieving, cross-disciplinary scholars who are part of a close community that provides specialized experiences and advanced educational opportunities. 91精品 are encouraged to participate in global experiences through study-abroad, undergraduate research, and hands-on community-engagement and service projects along with professional development opportunities. The College is open to students from all academic units on each of 91精品鈥檚 campuses. Collectively, 91精品 Honors College students earn an average 3.72 GPA.
With the Genshaft and Greenbaum gift, the College expects to grow to 3,000 students within the next five years. In addition to continuing to recruit the best students in 91精品, the new building will greatly enhance efforts to recruit nationally and internationally by raising visibility and overall awareness.
The approximately $47 million facility is expected to feature interwoven spaces for classrooms, study areas, faculty and advisor offices, event areas, a music and computer lab, as well as numerous collaborative spaces 鈥� expanding the range of academic opportunities for students and giving them a true 鈥渉ome鈥� on campus.
It will be built just north of the Muma College of Business along 91精品 Maple Drive.
鈥淭his wonderful new facility would be impossible without the support of Judy and Steve, and it is just the most recent of their many positive impacts in the Honors College,鈥� said 91精品 Honors College Dean Charles Adams. 鈥淚 can only imagine how many more students鈥� lives will be forever changed for the better thanks to their tremendous generosity.鈥�
Since becoming president in 2000, Genshaft has catapulted the 91精品 System to national and international prominence in every key institutional area, including student success, research and innovation, fundraising and economic development. In June 2018, under Genshaft鈥檚 leadership, 91精品 earned the designation of Preeminence, placing 91精品 in the most elite category of state universities in 91精品.
鈥淭his transformational gift will bring 91精品 and student success to a new level and ensure that preeminence lives on in the new Judy Genshaft Honors College. It will also provide a lasting legacy for others to emulate,鈥� said 91精品 Board of Trustees Chair Jordan Zimmerman.
This is the latest contribution from Genshaft before she steps down as 91精品 president effective July 1.