$35 million gift from Rich and Marla Linder will fund creation of two landmark facilities at university
Utah Valley University has announced a $35 million commitment from Rich and Marla Linder — a transformative philanthropic gift that represents the largest single contribution in the university’s history.
The donation will fund the creation of two landmark facilities at UVU’s expanding Vineyard Campus: the Xenter Building for Health and Public Service and the Orrin Hatch Center for National Security Studies.
The Linders’ gift is far more than a university milestone; it is a dramatic expression of their long-held belief in the power of education, technology, and community health to change lives.
For years, Rich and Marla Linder have quietly built a reputation as forward-looking philanthropists, shaping programs that unite healthcare innovation, accessibility, and learning. Their generosity has consistently reflected a deep commitment to both the well-being of future generations and the values of service, resilience, and knowledge-sharing.
Rich Linder, founder and CEO of Xenter — a company that develops breakthrough data-driven healthcare technologies — has long championed the role of science and human ingenuity in improving patient outcomes.
In his philanthropic work with Marla, he has pushed for a more connected model of healthcare education, emphasizing how data, collaboration, and applied research can directly benefit communities.
The Xenter Building at UVU will embody that vision as a state-of-the-art facility for the College of Health and Public Service, providing students with access to advanced simulation labs, intelligent systems powered by AI, and multidisciplinary learning spaces that reflect the future of coordinated patient care.
In dedicating part of their gift to establish the Orrin Hatch Center for National Security Studies, the Linders have extended their philanthropic scope beyond healthcare to national resilience.
The Center will strengthen Utah’s educational infrastructure in cybersecurity, intelligence, and emergency preparedness — fields that are increasingly vital to safeguarding both private and public sectors.
By developing these programs, UVU aims to prepare students to lead in defense, diplomacy, and data protection, while addressing complex challenges that affect communities locally and globally.
Astrid S. Tuminez, President of Utah Valley University, described the Linders’ contribution as a defining moment in the university’s growth.
“Through the unprecedented generosity of Rich and Marla Linder, this commitment will shift the trajectory of this university,” Tuminez said, praising their “bold vision” and noting that their investment will enable UVU students to thrive in professions that blend innovation and humanity.
The Linders’ philanthropy also directly supports UVU’s philosophy of accessibility and transformation. As a public institution known for its “open admission, open access” mission, UVU serves tens of thousands of students from diverse backgrounds, including many first-generation college attendees. The $35 million gift reinforces UVU’s commitment to affordability and real-world learning — values the Linders have long emphasized in both their business and charitable initiatives.
Beyond their support for UVU, the Linders have been recognized advocates of community health and innovation across Utah and beyond.
Their philanthropic focus has consistently intersected with their professional expertise and personal values: fostering education, advancing healthcare technology, and building systems that empower individuals to live healthier, more secure lives.
By aligning these commitments in one transformative act of giving, Rich and Marla Linder have established a new standard of visionary philanthropy in the region.
The Vineyard Campus, now set to feature the Xenter Building and Orrin Hatch Center, spans 225 acres designed around sustainability, accessibility, and collaboration, with green spaces, public transit integration, and mixed-use development fostering a vibrant community environment.
For UVU, it marks a leap forward in both scale and purpose.
For the Linders, it is the continuation of a philanthropic legacy defined not by prestige, but by tangible human impact — the kind that prepares generations of students to think critically, act compassionately, and build a stronger, healthier, and more secure world.