Washington, D.C. – University President Carol Folt announced today that Leonard D. Schaeffer and his wife, Pamela, have made a generous donation of $59 million to establish the USC Leonard D. Schaeffer Institute for Public Policy & Government Service at the USC Capital Campus. The goal of the institute is to conduct research that will inform evidence-based policymaking and address the most urgent issues facing the nation, as well as to educate students to become responsible and engaged citizens in a functioning democracy.
With the expansion of the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics and the Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service, the new institute will significantly enhance its reach, size, and national and international impact. University President Carol Folt expressed her gratitude to Leonard D. Schaeffer for his longstanding commitment to the USC Board of Trustees and his dedication to improving people’s lives through impactful policy.
The USC Leonard D. Schaeffer Institute for Public Policy & Government Service, the first major research and education facility to be headquartered at the USC Capital Campus in Washington, D.C., is set to have a far-reaching impact in these unprecedented times, according to Schaeffer. As the United States grapples with a myriad of challenges, the institute aims to provide the necessary analysis and factual information to counter the erosion of public discourse and advocate for more effective policy resolutions.
Moreover, the institute’s physical presence in Washington, D.C., will facilitate closer collaboration with key policymakers and academic institutions. It will also pave the way for interdisciplinary researchers and policy experts to tackle national and global challenges in partnership with influential government and academic organizations.
The generous donation from the Schaeffers will not only fund the establishment of the institute at the USC Capital Campus but also provide an endowment for the Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service program. This program offers paid fellowships for undergraduate students to work in various government offices and network with public service leaders, aiming to educate future citizens who understand how government functions.
Overall, the establishment of the USC Leonard D. Schaeffer Institute for Public Policy & Government Service represents a significant step forward in the university’s commitment to impactful research and education, particularly in the realm of public policy and government service. The institute’s potential to influence policy and empower future leaders is a testament to Leonard D. Schaeffer’s enduring legacy in health-policy leadership and his dedication to improving the nation’s well-being.