Donor Impact

Knobel Hall and the King Center for Data & Innovation stand as testaments to the impact of visionary donors who recognized the critical importance of providing Denison students with the latest technologies and spaces to collaborate across disciplines, and to develop the analytical and technical skills essential for success in a data-driven world.

A $15 million commitment from the Sherman Fairchild Foundation, which supports a variety of higher education initiatives. The foundation has a history of generosity toward Denison, including a $10 million grant toward global programs and career preparation. Denisonians Wally Burke ’71 (also a Denison life trustee) and President Emeritus Dale Knobel are esteemed leaders of the foundation. Doane Hall was renamed Dale and Tina Knobel Hall in recognition of this gift, made in honor of President Emeritus Dale Knobel, who served the University from 1998 to 2013, and his wife, Tina Knobel.

A $5 million commitment from Emily “Emmy” Hauser King ’63 and Robert “Bob” King, for whom the King Center for Data & Innovation is named, share a deep commitment to education, community engagement, and philanthropy. They see this project as “a natural evolution of the groundbreaking work Denison has done to blend the liberal arts with career preparation.” Bob King has built several successful businesses that apply technology to education, including Collegis Education, Deltak, and Rasmussen College. Emmy, a French major and member of Kappa Alpha Theta at Denison, has maintained strong ties to the university through leadership, volunteerism, and a family legacy spanning generations of Denisonians. In 2017, she received the Alumni Citation, the university’s highest alumni honor.

A $5 million commitment from Arthur ’80 and Carrie Steinmetz, who are inspired by their belief that “data science skills in a liberal arts context give students powerful tools that set them up well for career success.” Art, a former chairman, CEO, and president of OppenheimerFunds, is a Denison trustee with a bachelor’s degree in Russian language and Slavic studies.

A $3 million gift from Lisa Wolff Brickman ’83 and Daniel Brickman ’80. With careers in marketing and finance, the Brickmans understand the importance of equipping graduates with both a broad grounding in the liberal arts and leading-edge training in fields like data science. Dan, also a university trustee, has seen firsthand the transformative impact of this combination in the professional world.

A $1 million contribution from Lisa Katz Mathias ’85 and Robert Mathias ’86, who were inspired by Denison’s commitment to a rigorous and relevant curriculum. Rob, a double major in economics and English, credits his Denison experience with helping him build a successful career in investment management. The Mathias’ gift reflects their belief in the power of combining scientific inquiry with creative thinking, a hallmark of Denison’s innovative approach.

A generous leadership gift from Ashley Edwards Bradley ’93 and Thomas Bradley ’91. As a Denison trustee and successful entrepreneur, Ashley embodies the versatility a liberal arts education provides. She and her husband, Tom, an executive in private equity, recognize the value of building a purpose-driven data science facility that will equip Denison students to navigate a complex world.

A $250,000 gift was made by the Trumbull family. The Trumbull family has deep roots at Denison, including Scott ’70, his wife Margy, and their three children, Matthew ’99 and his wife Heather, Benjamin ’03 and his wife Katherine, and Will ’05 and his wife Dana ‘04. Scott served on Denison’s Board of Trustees for 26 years, and the family has provided philanthropic support for many of Denison’s strategic priorities, including financial aid and the development of the Trumbull Aquatics Center.

Corrine Brenner Dimitruk ’01 and Michael Dimitruk ’00 contributed $100,000 to the project. From the Bay Area, they are proud alums and passionate supporters. Michael, a second-generation Denisonian, is also a member of Denison’s Board of Advisors. Michael and Corrine’s generous contribution underscores their commitment to innovation in the liberal arts and reflects their deep connection to the university that shaped their journeys.