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TCU on Wednesday announced the creation of a new endowed fund made possible by a $3 million investment from the Bezos Family Foundation and established in recognition of the College of Education’s centennial year.
The endowment will support an expansion of the college’s research initiatives, advancing the science of learning while strengthening faculty-led research and community-engaged projects that address critical education issues.
The College of Education Centennial Endowment for Research will also allow the college’s existing centers and institutes to grow their capabilities. Those groups include the Center for Public Education & Community Engagement, the Andrews Institute for Research in Mathematics & Science Education and the Alice Neeley Special Education Research and Service Institute.
“This investment expands what’s possible for our faculty, our students and the communities we serve,” TCU Chancellor Daniel W. Pullin said in a statement. “The Bezos Family Foundation’s support strengthens our mission to prepare leaders who will shape classrooms and learning systems for decades to come. It accelerates the high-impact research and innovation that define TCU’s academic experience and the College of Education’s mission to advance the future of education.”
The Bezos Family Foundation is a private, independent nonprofit founded by Mike and Jackie Bezos and their family that supports organizations helping young people reach their full potential. Mike and Jackie Bezos are the parents of Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.com. Mike Bezos made the initial investment to get Amazon off the ground. Mark Bezos and Christina Bezos-Poore -- Jeff Bezos’ brother and sister — are TCU graduates.
This marks the third major gift from the foundation to the college. It previously established the KinderFrogs Endowed Scholarship Program and the Bezos Family Foundation Endowed Chair for Early Childhood Education, held by Jan Lacina.
“Our partnership with TCU’s College of Education is a long-term investment in faculty-led and community-driven research that fuels innovation, strengthens faculty excellence and the student experience, and helps shape the future of learning on a national scale,” said Jody Rosentswieg, managing director of strategic initiatives at the foundation.
The foundation has identified itself as the “initial donor” to the endowment, encouraging additional contributions from supporters. The fund will advance research within the College of Education while aligning with TCU’s pursuit of a Research 1 designation.
Frank Hernandez, dean of the College of Education, said the school is “deeply grateful for this extraordinary support.”
“As TCU moves toward R1, this funding helps ensure we’re not only expanding knowledge but preparing the next generation of educational leaders to do the same,” Hernandez said.