$20 Million Gift Endows First-Generation Scholarship Program

When David Rubenstein enrolled at Duke University in the late 1960s, he was the first member of his family to attend college. He was also the recipient of financial aid that made it possible for him to do so.

Now chair of the university’s Board of Trustees, Rubenstein has made a $20 million gift to endow a year-old scholarship program for exceptional first-generation, low-income students. What will now be known as the David M. Rubenstein Scholars Programprovides rigorous academic experiences, personal enrichment and professional development -- and covers the full cost of a Duke education.

"As a student at Duke, David Rubenstein learned the difference a scholarship could make to open the door to a great education," said Duke University President Richard H. Brodhead. "As chair of Duke’s Board of Trustees, David has shown his deep understanding of the importance of access to higher education. Great universities must seek out and welcome talented students regardless of their family’s prior educational experience or ability to pay. David's extraordinary gift makes it possible for Duke to fulfill our commitment to this ideal." 



The Rubenstein Scholars Program began this year as the Washington Duke Scholars Program, named for the patriarch of the Duke family whose initial philanthropy created the university. Thirty undergraduates are enrolled in the initial class. In addition to a loan-free scholarship award for four years, the program includes initiatives designed to promote student success, such as a summer academic experience to help students transition to college. Extensive faculty and peer mentoring and programming are provided to support both personal and professional development across all four years at Duke.