SBU surpasses goal, with help from friends

The Simons are top patrons





	Jim Simons

February 04, 2009 | 04:00 PM
Stony Brook University President Shirley Strum Kenny announced today that SBU's first-ever capital campaign has surpassed its goal of $300 million.

Although Kenny reported that over 54,000 donors contributed to the fundraising campaign begun in 2002, two stood out.

Jim and Marilyn Simons and their Simons Foundation gave a total of $106 million to SBU. Simons, formerly a mathematics professor at Stony Brook, founded Renaissance Technologies of East Setauket, a hedge fund with assets under management in the billions of dollars.

"Jim and Marilyn are just extraordinary," said Kenny. The president also noted the fundraising goal has been achieved in uncertain times.

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"This is a historic milestone," Kenny said. "And during these harsh economic times, which have led to severe cuts in government support, this achievement is a sterling affirmation of both the centrality of public higher education to the future of our state and nation, and to Stony Brook's position as a world leader."

Another notable donation came from Computer Associates founder and former Chairman Charles Wang, who contributed the 120,000 square foot Wang Center in the center of the campus. The $52 million structure represents the largest single non-cash gift ever received by a SUNY campus, according to a release from Kenny.

Richard Gelfond, CEO of IMAX Corporation and chair of the Stony Brook Foundation Board of Trustees, said, "The success of this campaign is a testament to the exceptional quality of our university, its faculty and students and its significant impact on the lives of countless individuals."

Kenny's statement said the campaign had raised $312,796,181 through Jan. 28 from 54,132 donors who contributed a total 237,000 donations. The donors included 48,854 individuals — 18,479 of who are alumni — 391 foundations and 755 other organizations.

The campaign, named The Emergence of Stony Brook, is scheduled to run through June 30 of this year, which is also the date Kenny will retire after 15 years as president of SBU.

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