Cornell University secured the largest gift in its history: a $371.5 million pledge from alumnus David Duffield, the PeopleSoft and Workday founder. The donation creates a $250 million Duffield Legacy Fund, a $50 million educational excellence fund, and a launch fund to support immediate college priorities; Cornell will rename its engineering college the David A. Duffield College of Engineering. University officials said funds will underwrite physical infrastructure, faculty support and research in quantum engineering, AI and data‑driven decision‑making. The gift significantly boosts the college’s discretionary resources as institutions navigate budget pressures and compete for top STEM talent.