All Thayer News

Record-setting Philanthropic Support for Thayer School

Sep 02, 2016

Thayer School of Engineering received its largest single gift ever: $25 million from Barry MacLean ’60 Th’61 and his family in support of Thayer's expansion plans. Collectively, MacLean and his fellow Board of Overseers committed more than $61 million towards the expansion, surpassing the $61 million contributed to Thayer during Dartmouth's last capital campaign.

Thayer building plaque

With these contributions, support for Thayer School's expansion plans now exceeds $90 million, affirming Dartmouth's goal of offering every undergraduate the opportunity to explore technology in preparation for leadership in an increasingly technology-intensive world. Expansion plans include doubling the number of engineering faculty and construction of an additional building at Thayer that would be shared with Dartmouth's Department of Computer Science.

"We are tremendously grateful for the generosity and support from alumni and the Thayer community and the strong foundation it provides toward realizing Thayer's ambitious expansion goals," said Dean Joseph Helble.

In an additional milestone of support, contributions to the Thayer School Annual Fund reached an all-time record for the fourth time in five years, with $1.6 million donated by 30.2 percent of alumni. Annual Fund contributions help underwrite yearly expenses, such as financial aid instructional requisites.

"Students love that Thayer provides a space for unhindered exploration through access to technologically advanced resources and abundant supplies," says Christian Ortiz '11 Th'11 '16. "The Annual Fund provides technologies like 3D printing to students without any barriers to access, allowing every what-if idea to be made and tested. Collaborative innovation is at the heart of what Thayer teaches every graduating class. Through the Annual Fund, alumni continue to be part of a Thayer education."

For contacts and other media information visit our Media Resources page.