Milken Institute, the Sumner M. Redstone Charitable Foundation and the Milken Family Foundation have made a gift of $80 million to George Washington University.
About $40 million from the Milken Institute will go towards supporting research and scholarships; $30 million from the Sumner M. Redstone Charitable Foundation for innovative strategies to promote wellness and the prevention of disease; and $10 million from the Milken Family Foundation to support the Milken Institute School dean's office and a public health scholarship program.
"These extraordinary gifts collectively represent the largest donation ever received by the George Washington University," GW Board of Trustees Chairman Nelson A. Carbonell Jr., said in a statement. "Such a generous contribution to the university demonstrates a commitment to the health of people all over the world."
In recognition to the transformative gifts, the GW Board of Trustees has decided to rename the School of Public Health and Health Services as the Milken Institute School of Public Health and the establish the Sumner M. Redstone Global Center for Prevention and Wellness.
"For decades, Mike Milken and Sumner Redstone have exemplified philanthropy of the most visionary and powerful kind," said George Washington University President Steven Knapp. "These new resources will greatly enhance our university's capacity to address global health challenges with life-altering solutions."
Sumner Redstone said that GW has long focused towards public health research, scholarship and action. Redstone is happy to collaborate with Milken Institute and Milken Family Foundation to help combat some of the pressing health issues and provide millions access to healthier and longer lives.
"Washington, D.C., is the center of global public health policy, and GW boasts the leading academic public health institution in Washington," said Paul Irving, president of the Milken Institute and a member of the School of Public Health Dean's Council. "We are delighted to support the talented public health scholars and students of GW and look forward to helping the university extend its reach and impact even further. This continues the longtime commitment of the institute to improving lives around the world by enhancing health."
