NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang Offers Critical Support to San Francisco’s Sole Remaining Arts College
The California College of the Arts (CCA) has received a significant donation from Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang, which is set to be the largest in the school’s history. ‘We are grateful for this generous gift,’ said a spokesperson for CCA.
Jensen Huang is a Taiwanese-American business magnate, co-founder, and CEO of NVIDIA.
Born on February 17, 1963, in Taipei, Taiwan, he moved to the United States at a young age.
Huang earned his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Oregon State University and later his Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University.
He co-founded NVIDIA in 1993 with Curtis Priem and Chris Malachowsky.
Under his leadership, NVIDIA has become one of the world's leading technology companies, specializing in graphics processing units (GPUs) and high-performance computing hardware.
The California College of the Arts (CCA) has faced significant challenges in recent years. A dramatic drop-off in enrollment, exacerbated by demographic factors and the Covid-19 pandemic, has left the school struggling financially. In August, CCA announced a series of cost-cutting measures, including layoffs, as it faced a $20 million deficit.
The donation from Huang’s foundation is a welcome relief for CCA, which will use the funds to address its financial struggles and support program launches. ‘This gift is a testament to the power of philanthropy in driving innovation,’ said Eric Jensen, chief operating officer of the Jen-Hsun & Lori Huang Foundation.
The Jen-Hsun & Lori Huang Foundation has a history of supporting educational institutions, including Oregon State University, which both Huang and his wife attended. The couple previously pledged $50 million to their alma mater in 2022 to build a supercomputing complex. Their philanthropic efforts have also benefited the Oneida Baptist Institute, a Kentucky boarding school that received $2 million from Huang in 2019.
As AI poses a significant threat to artists and their ability to work, Huang’s foundation has become an unlikely hero for CCA. The donation is a testament to the importance of supporting institutions that cultivate creative leaders of tomorrow.
The California College of the Arts (CCA) is a private art and design college located in San Francisco, California.
Founded in 1907, CCA offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in fine arts, graphic design, industrial design, architecture, and more.
The college is known for its emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and community engagement.
With a student-faculty ratio of 8:1, CCA provides personalized attention to students.
Its faculty includes accomplished artists and designers who have worked with notable companies like Apple and Nike.
