Billionaire and Cornell alumnus Dave Duffield has committed $100 million to expand Cornell’s Engineering College, marking the school’s largest donation. The project, set to begin this year and finish by 2027, will add over 130,000 square feet to Duffield Hall, replacing Phillips Hall and enhancing research in AI, robotics, and semiconductors.
Once complete, the expanded Duffield Hall will span 300,000 square feet and serve as a gateway to the university’s tech-centric southern entrance. The Phillips family has endorsed naming the Engineering Quad’s largest auditorium after Ellis L. Phillips Sr. in recognition of his legacy.
Duffield, founder of PeopleSoft and Workday, has previously supported multiple initiatives at Cornell. University leaders praised his ongoing generosity, calling him a visionary who has profoundly impacted research, education, and campus life.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].