Texas philanthropists Michael and Susan Dell are now considered the largest donors in University of Texas at Austin’s history after announcing a $750 gift funding an advanced research campus and a medical center equipped with AI technology.
Here’s a brief introduction to Susan and Michael Dell.
Yes. Michael Dell is the chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies, which is headquartered in Round Rock outside Austin.
Michael Dell was born in Houston in 1965 and once sold newspaper subscriptions for the Houston Post, according to a biography by Bloomberg. He attended the University of Texas before dropping out to start his computer business.
Late last year, the Dells said they would invest $6.25 billion into “Trump Accounts,” a federal program setting aside investments for U.S. children before they turn 18. Their donation would provide 25 million children who are 10 years and younger with $250 each.
The Dells have now donated more than $1 billion to UT, becoming the university’s first-ever billion-dollar donors. They have funded scholarships, made capital investments and helped develop programs for years, bolstering UT’s standing in technology, AI and health, according to the university.
The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation oversees 800 projects across the world each year, according to its website. Its output exceeds $10 billion, which they’ve allocated to classrooms, job opportunities, health care and financial services for families and entrepreneurs, the website states.