With their most recent gift of $8 million, Jonathan Silverstein ’89 and his wife, Natalie, demonstrate their commitment to making a Denison education possible for talented students and supporting the highest initiatives of the institution.
Their transformative gift will, in part, contribute to the endowed fund they established in 2021, which provides need- and merit-based financial assistance to Denison students, increasing the number of Silverstein Scholars on campus.
“Receiving financial assistance to attend Denison means I can have opportunities I never dreamed of,” said one Silverstein Scholar. “This scholarship provides me with stepping stones to pursue a future.” Another scholarship recipient said, “The aid helps motivate me to not let my opportunities and time go to waste. I’m incredibly grateful” for support from the Silversteins.
“This gift is a powerful statement about who we are and what we value,” said Denison President Adam Weinberg. “Natalie and Jonathan Silverstein believe deeply in the power of a Denison education to change lives. Their generosity will open doors for students who otherwise would not have that life-shaping opportunity.”
Jonathan Silverstein ’89 connects with residents of Silverstein Hall, a reflection of his vision to create a dynamic living experience for seniors.
The Silversteins’ gift strengthens Denison’s ability to continue serving as one of only 80 colleges in the country to meet students’ full demonstrated financial need. The gift directly advances the What We Can Be campaign, Denison’s most ambitious fundraising effort to date. By increasing long-term resources for need-based aid and student support, the campaign seeks to ensure that students can fully participate in all that Denison offers — including study abroad, internships, research, and robust campus life — without financial barriers. To date, the Silversteins have committed a total of $10.8 million in support of What We Can Be.
“Our contributions to Denison are deeply personal — but they’re also purposeful,” said Jonathan Silverstein. “Natalie and I believe in this university and the promise of its students. Throughout my career, I’ve invested in opportunities that create lasting impact. Supporting Denison students is an investment in the people who will carry Denison’s values into the world and multiply its influence in ways we can’t yet imagine.”
Among Denison’s most devoted supporters, the Silversteins have contributed to many other projects on campus. In 2018, they established the Natalie and Jonathan Silverstein Endowed Fund for Student Emergency Assistance. This fund provides Red Thread Grants for unanticipated and urgent expenses such as medical care or travel needs — underscoring their enduring dedication to students’ well-being.
In 2020, Denison opened Silverstein Residence Hall, a reflection of Jonathan’s vision to create a living experience for the senior class that fosters connection and lasting friendships like the ones he formed as a student. The residence hall enables Denison to offer apartment-style living for seniors and anchors a dynamic residential community on campus.
In 2022, the Silversteins made the lead gift toward endowing the Greg Waitley ’89 Scholarship Fund to honor and remember Jonathan’s fraternity brother and friend. The Waitley Scholarship supports deserving students from the Chicago area who are hard-working, kind, caring, and optimistic, all characteristics that Waitley embodied.
Beyond philanthropy, Jonathan has devoted significant time to mentoring students and alums. During his career as a managing partner and co-head of global private equity at OrbiMed, he hosted Denison student interns for 15 consecutive years — creating a pipeline of opportunity that continues today as former interns, now alums, offer internships and career guidance to current students.
“Natalie and Jonathan exemplify the spirit of generosity and mentorship that defines Denison at its best,” said Greg Bader, vice president for institutional advancement. “This new $8 million commitment will have a lasting impact, not only by expanding scholarships, but by affirming our shared belief that access to a Denison education should never be out of reach.”
