San Diego State University announced Tuesday a $5.1 million donation from the Moxie Foundation to foster innovation and entrepreneurship campus-wide.
The money from the San Diego-based foundation, which has worked with SDSU over the past four years, will expand the Zahn Innovation Center, create an innovation prize for graduating seniors and create a two-year rotating faculty post dedicated to creativity.
"Entrepreneurship is about so much more than starting a business — it's about thinking outside the box, taking chances and unleashing your inner changemaker," said Irwin Zahn, foundation chairman and CEO. "Entrepreneurial thinking is something that is crucial for 21st century problem solving and with this gift, Moxie is supporting SDSU's vision to provide such opportunities for all students in all majors."
The foundation said the 3-year-old Zahn Innovation Center will be renamed the Zahn Innovation Platform, which will serve as a campus-wide hub for creative problem solving, the exploration of new ideas and the launch of new ventures.
The winner of the annual innovation prize stands to receive a major award — having his student debt paid-off. Zahn said it will allow the recipient to pursue his or her goals with a clean financial slate.
"On behalf of the entire university, I wish to express our gratitude to Irwin Zahn and the Moxie Foundation for its extraordinary generosity and vision," said SDSU President Elliot Hirshman. "The Moxie Foundation's comprehensive support of design thinking will advance academic programs and entrepreneurship across our campus."
The donation puts the total take for the 8-year-old Campaign for SDSU to more than $617 million in support of students, faculty, staff and programs, the school announced.
