Dr. Eileen Chamberlain DonahoeTo increase representation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), two Dartmouth College alumni gifted $20 million to the institution.
The donation—given by Nike President and CEO John Donahoe and Dr. Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe, executive director of the global digital policy incubator at Stanford University—is part of a $60 million fund to create more pathways into the STEM field through the development of mentorship, scholarships, networking, internship, research and professional development opportunities.
Beyond establishing an early-career faculty fellowship program, other initiatives include an endowed scholarship fund to increase the number of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) STEM students and increase collaborative efforts with Native communities to address inequities.
“This year has served as a wake-up call for America on race,” said Eileen Donahoe. “It was a year when we were forced to recognize the inadequacy of our own understanding of racial justice in the United States. We wanted to do something about the race issues we face in America.”
Added Dr. Philip J. Hanlon, president of Dartmouth: “Talent is equally distributed, even if opportunity is not,” he said. “Through this extraordinary gift, Dartmouth will pursue programs that help create a racially and ethnically diverse talent pipeline for the next generation of engineers, doctors, computer scientists, and the professors who will teach them. Eileen and John believe that Dartmouth can lead on this national issue and they are generously giving us the means to expand these proven programs.”
