$10 million gift to university from Amy and Jad Duncan aims to strengthen experiential learning opportunities for engineering students

Chapman University has announced that Chapman parents Amy and Jad Duncan have made a $10 million endowment gift to the Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler School of Engineering, one of the largest single commitments to the young engineering school since its creation.

The pledge, finalized the night before President Matt Parlow’s first State of the University address, is specifically intended to “strengthen experiential learning opportunities for engineering students,” according to university advancement leaders.

Chapman and the Fowler School of Engineering have described the Duncans’ donation as an “extraordinary” gift that will advance the school’s long-term growth, expand hands-on and project-based learning, and help position Chapman as a competitive destination for high-achieving engineering students in Southern California and beyond.

The Duncans, who are part of the university’s parent community, are being publicly recognized as lead benefactors in engineering at a time when Chapman is investing heavily in STEM and applied disciplines.

Their endowment is expected to underwrite a range of student-facing initiatives over time—such as enhanced lab experiences, industry-connected capstone projects, and potentially new co-curricular or internship pipelines—though specific program allocations will be determined as the school implements its strategic plan.

Executive Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer Jessica Berger highlighted the $10 million pledge in her campaign update at the State of the University event, placing the Duncans’ gift among the most impactful contributions reported over the past year.

Chapman officials have noted that the Duncan endowment arrives at a pivotal moment for both the institution and the Fowler School of Engineering.

During the State of the University address, Parlow reported that the university has now raised approximately $480 million toward its $500 million Inspire campaign goal and that the overall endowment has surpassed the $1 billion mark for the first time in Chapman’s 165-year history, with roughly two-thirds of that endowment dedicated to student scholarships.

Within that broader context, the Duncans’ $10 million engineering-focused gift signals a strategic shift toward donor investments that directly support academic programs and student outcomes in high-demand technical fields, reinforcing Chapman’s efforts to build a robust, reputation-driving engineering enterprise anchored in experiential, real-world learning.