UD gets largest gift in history, $71.5M to transform business school

The University of Delaware has secured its largest individual philanthropic contribution in history—a generous $71.5 million gift from alumni Robert L. Siegfried, Jr. and Kathleen Marie Siegfried, along with The Siegfried Group, LLP.

This transformative donation will support the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics and positions the college among the nation’s elite business schools.

The gift, which is the largest in UD’s 282-year history, will fund the creation of Siegfried Hall, a cutting-edge, student-centric facility designed to enhance the academic experience at Lerner College.

Siegfried Hall will feature modern classrooms, research labs, a student-run café, an auditorium, and dedicated spaces for collaborative and experiential learning.

READ: Newark Police Department honors officers and staff at special ceremony

Tanya Hettler, director of the Center for Education Policy at Caesar Rodney Institute, said the extremely generous contribution by the Seigfrieds to the Lerner College of Business and Economics at UD is a huge boost for education in Delaware.

But, she said, there’s work that needs to be done.

“Now we just need to teach our K-12 students how to read and do math so that they will be prepared to attend the University,” she said. “In 2020 UD’s President Dennis Assanis stated that  a lack of qualified students was to blame for low in-state enrollment. Sadly he is right.”

The state, she said, needs to immediately and fully train teachers to implement the science of reading in all schools throughout the state using the five ingredients of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension.

“Students must show reading proficiency by the end of 3rd grade before being promoted,” Hettler said. “In grades K-3 students learn to read and from 4th grade on they read to learn. If they cannot read by the end of 3rd grade, promoting them to 4th grade does them a huge disservice and practically guarantees that they will be unable to attend college.”

Siegfried Hall will also house the Siegfried Institute for Leadership and Free Enterprise, a new “idea lab” dedicated to fostering leadership skills and advancing the principles of free enterprise, limited government, and the rule of law.

These values, say the Siegfrieds, align with the founding principles of the United States and will provide future leaders with critical insights into economic policies that drive innovation and leadership.

“We are deeply grateful for Rob and Kathy’s extraordinary generosity,” said UD President Dennis Assanis. “Their commitment will significantly advance our mission to prepare the next generation of leaders in business and economics.”

The new facility will house several key features to support Lerner students, including a Student Success and Excellence Center for career services and personal development, immersive learning spaces equipped with cutting-edge technology, and areas for team projects, entrepreneurial activities, and interdisciplinary research.

The collaborative design aims to foster a sense of community among students, faculty, and alumni.

“We hope our gift will inspire other alumni and friends of the university to support the vision we have for the future of business education at UD,” said Rob Siegfried. “Kathy and I are honored to invest in the next generation of leaders who will benefit from the world-class programs and resources at Lerner College.”

Siegrieds and UD

The Siegfrieds’ long history of philanthropy at UD includes previous donations exceeding $6 million, which have supported various programs such as the Siegfried Youth Leadership Initiative and the Siegfried Fellows program.

Their latest contribution will further solidify their legacy as champions of leadership development and academic excellence.

Lerner College Dean Oliver Yao emphasized the significance of the gift, calling it a major step toward achieving the college’s vision to lead the way in business education.

“Siegfried Hall will help us continue to push the boundaries of innovation in business and create an inclusive environment that fosters success for all students,” Yao said.

Plans for the design of Siegfried Hall are set to begin this spring, with construction expected to start within the next four years.

The Siegfrieds have also pledged to match future donations toward the project, aiming to inspire even more support from the university’s community.

“Let us take advantage of this generous donation and enable Delaware students to get into UD and benefit from the Siegfried’s bountiful contribution to improve the well-being of our students and our state as a whole,” Hettler said.