$25M Endowment Boosts Duffield Engineering Learning

Gift will support student project teams, inclusive excellence initiatives, and innovative learning models

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Cornell University's Duffield College of Engineering has received a new $25 million endowment dedicated to advancing experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate students. The endowment will provide long-term support for student project teams, inclusive excellence programs, innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives, and the development of immersive "Learning Studio" models.

Why it matters

The endowment represents a significant investment in hands-on, real-world learning experiences that are seen as crucial for preparing the next generation of engineers. It builds on the college's existing strengths in areas like student-led project teams and will help expand innovative teaching approaches across the curriculum.

The details

The $25 million endowment is part of a record-setting $371.5 million gift to the college from alumnus David Duffield. Initially, the endowment funds will support Duffield Engineering's Student Project Teams, learning initiatives led by the Office of Inclusive Excellence, student programming in the Office of External Collaboration and Innovation, and the expansion of the college's "Learning Studio" models that immerse students in real engineering systems. The endowment aims to provide stable, long-term support for these high-impact experiential learning opportunities.

  • The $25 million endowment was announced on March 6, 2026.

The players

Lynden Archer

The Joseph Silbert Dean of Engineering at Cornell University's Duffield College of Engineering.

Brian Kirby

The Meinig Family Professor of Engineering at the Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, who has spearheaded the development of the college's "Learning Studio" models.

Miranda Swanson

The associate dean for student services at Cornell University's Duffield College of Engineering.

David Duffield

A Cornell alumnus who recently provided a record-setting $371.5 million gift to the Duffield College of Engineering.

Natalie Dowd

A 2025 Cornell graduate who led the Baja Racing team to a string of victories and now works as a mechanical engineer at SpaceX.

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What they’re saying

“The creation of an endowment that provides stable, robust levels of support for experiential learning in all of its forms has been a high priority for our college for many years. This endowment recognizes just how central experiential learning is to a Duffield Engineering education. It also signals our intention to continually invest in developing new frameworks that facilitate learning for future students.”

— Lynden Archer, The Joseph Silbert Dean of Engineering (Mirage News)

“Our Learning Studios have transformed our curriculum, immersing our students with real engineering systems, creating an engaging and exciting learning environment that meaningfully enhances students' educational experience and real-world preparedness. We are excited to build on our existing learning studios and expand this endeavor to help colleagues throughout Duffield Engineering explore and implement this approach to experiential learning.”

— Brian Kirby, Meinig Family Professor of Engineering (Mirage News)

“It's just an insane positive impact. What we always tell the freshmen when we recruit them is, this is the kind of thing where the more you put into it, the more you'll get out of it. We put in a ton of time, and we've gotten exponentially more out of it.”

— Natalie Dowd (Mirage News)

What’s next

The college plans to use the endowment funds to continuously expand and enhance its experiential learning offerings, including further developing the Learning Studio models and supporting new student-led project teams and inclusive excellence initiatives.

The takeaway

This significant investment in hands-on, real-world learning experiences demonstrates Cornell's commitment to preparing the next generation of engineers with the skills and mindset needed to tackle complex challenges. The endowment will help the Duffield College of Engineering maintain its reputation for innovative, student-centered education.