Michigan State University alumnus Edward J. Minskoff will give the school $30 million, the largest gift in the 163-year history of the school.
The university says in a news release that the money will help MSU complete the Business Pavilion at the Eli Broad College of Business. It is intended to create innovative learning and career development spaces for business students. MSU will name the pavilion for Minskoff.
“Michigan State is an important university and important to my past," Minskoff says. "It gave me a strong foundation, so I am privileged to be making a contribution that will help Michigan State continue to attract and prepare future business leaders."
The 100,000-square-foot pavilion on the East Lansing campus is connected to the existing business college facilities. It will feature state-of-the-art classrooms and other spaces, a glass-walled atrium that affords panoramic views of the Red Cedar River and an expanded career center to serve students, recruiters and corporate partners.
Students will be able to use it in fall 2019.
Minskoff has developed more than 40 million square feet of residential and office space in New York City and other major cities. He is the founder of Edward J. Minskoff Equities Inc., which owns, develops and manages high-end office and residential properties and other real estate.
Minskoff’s donation helps to ensure the $62 million cost of the pavilion project will be covered completely by donations. To date, more than 1,400 individuals, corporations and foundations have contributed toward the Business Pavilion project.
Minskoff graduated from Michigan State in 1962 with a degree in economics and received an honorary doctorate in business from the Broad College in 2009. In 2013, MSU presented him with its Philanthropist of the Year award.
YouTube: Video of MSU Business Pavilion project:
