ITHACA, N.Y. – A $100 million philanthropic commitment, the largest in Cornell Engineering’s history, from David A. Duffield ’62, MBA ’64, will significantly expand the college’s existing Duffield Hall, creating a new state-of-the-art home for the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and critical new lab space for strategic research priorities.
A visionary engineer and entrepreneur, Duffield has founded six business software companies, including PeopleSoft and Workday. His previous gifts to Cornell have supported multiple named spaces and programs on the Ithaca campus. The most prominent of these is Duffield Hall, which was completed in 2004 and houses one of the country’s most sophisticated research and teaching facilities for nanoscale science and engineering.
“Dave Duffield is an extraordinary philanthropist and a truly visionary Cornellian,” said Interim President Michael I. Kotlikoff. “His generosity has already immeasurably enhanced the quality of the university’s research, education, and campus life, and he continues to find and pursue new avenues for advancing Cornell’s mission.”
Duffield’s latest gift will expand Duffield Hall to encompass the space currently occupied by Phillips Hall, an adjoining building that has housed the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering since it opened in 1955, having been built with funding from the Ellis L. Phillips Foundation. With the endorsement of the Phillips family, the school’s directorship and the Engineering Quad's largest auditorium, located in the expanded Duffield Hall, will be named in honor of Ellis L. Phillips Sr., Class of 1895, who was among the school’s earliest and most prominent graduates.
“I was fortunate as a student at Cornell to be introduced to early mainframe computers and the quickly changing nature of technology,” Duffield said. “This opportunity laid the foundation for my career, and I’m pleased to give back by supporting the education of future generations of engineers and innovators.”
The construction project will provide more than 130,000 square feet of new and renovated space, including teaching, research, collaboration and maker spaces. Among the improvements will be a full, embedded, low-vibration, quantum-ready research wing for work in quantum computing, as well as additional lab space to support work in artificial intelligence, robotics and semiconductor materials and devices. Once completed, the expanded Duffield Hall will be 300,000 square feet. It will transform the gateway to the tech-centric southern edge of Cornell’s Ithaca campus, one of the most highly trafficked entrances to the university.
Construction is scheduled to begin this year and be completed in 2027.
“This historic gift provides a tremendous step-up in our ability to carry out key aspects of the college’s mission, including providing experiential learning opportunities for students and research spaces designed to support the 21st-century work being pursued by our faculty,” said Lynden Archer, the Joseph Silbert Dean of Engineering. “Dave’s strong vote of confidence in our college and its mission is deeply appreciated. His investment will motivate our students, faculty and collaborators to reach incredible new heights in their work.”
In 2018, Duffield was the inaugural recipient of the Cornell Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award, the college’s highest alumni honor. He was also named Cornell Entrepreneur of the Year in 1996.
In addition to PeopleSoft and Workday, Duffield’s other business software companies include Integral Systems, Business Software Corporation, Information Associates, and his latest venture, Ridgeline, which provides a modern technology platform for the investment management industry. Beyond his professional endeavors, Duffield and his wife, Cheryl, are ardent advocates and supporters of Veterans with disabilities and companion animal welfare. Their Cornell philanthropy extends to the College of Veterinary Medicine, where they have funded and named the Maddie's® Shelter Medicine Program and the Duffield Institute for Animal Behavior.
“Our Cornell Engineering community is committed to making a positive difference in the world,” Archer said, “and we are extremely grateful to Dave for both inspiring us and enabling us to do so.”
-30-