At the time, no one would have guessed that the largest gift in Harvard University’s history would be to the School of Public Health. When it was announced in September 2014 that the Chan family and its Morningside Foundation would donate $350 million to the School, Gerald Chan, SM ’75, SD ’79, said, “We wanted to send a message to the world that it is in public health that we should invest for a better future.”
Chan added that his studies at the School—renamed for his late father as the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health—transformed his thinking. Here, he learned that life sciences research applied to populations can help create a healthier world.
The unrestricted gift as an endowment supports students interested in public service careers—46 have received loan-forgiveness awards—funds faculty research in the areas of greatest need, and allows the School to invest in infrastructure in key areas including data science and the microbiome.
By enabling the School to “respond to student financial need and important global health research opportunities to a far greater extent than ever before,” says Dean Michelle A. Williams, the gift is “advancing the School toward new heights of learning and discovery.”