The University of Rochester has announced a $15.7 million gift from alumnus and trustee Evans Lam (’83, ’84S). 

The commitment includes $3.5 million in support of undergraduate business students and faculty at the Simon Business School, $1 million to help expand the role and impact of music at the Eastman School of Music, and $500,000 to provide emergency resources to undergraduates with immediate needs, fund capital projects for the River Campus Libraries (RCL), and enhance undergraduate education overall. In addition, the gift will eventually establish endowed funds to further support student scholarships at Simon and within Arts, Sciences & Engineering; emergency needs for undergraduates; the Lam Professorship in support of the Eastman Performing Arts Medicine (EPAM) program; key initiatives at Simon, Eastman, and RCL; and presidential priorities.

“I am forever grateful to my alma mater for offering me a four-year scholarship to pursue the best education and realize my American dream,” said Lam. “I came to the United States with only $180 to my name. The circle of my life started here, and when I’m gone, I hope that the education I received and also the work that I’ve done here will come full circle again and again, perpetuated by the people with whom I’ve engaged and who have a shared wish to help this great university improve the lives of others. I hope this gift inspires others to do what they can to support the university.” 

(Photo credit: Getty Images/visual space)