Unrestricted Donation of $10 Million Transforms UC San Diego

UC San Diego has received a transformative, unrestricted donation exceeding $10 million from the estate of the late Rik Henrikson, a notable attorney and real estate investor. Established in 2001, this endowment, known as the Rik and Flo Henrikson Endowed Fund, remains the largest unrestricted gift in the university’s history. The fund is designed to provide the chancellors of UC San Diego with the flexibility to allocate resources to the institution’s most urgent needs.

The vision behind this generous gift was rooted in the Henriksons’ belief in the power of education to drive scientific progress and foster social mobility. With the current landscape of higher education facing unpredictable funding challenges, such unrestricted donations have become increasingly vital. “UC San Diego is one of the top public universities in the world, thanks to the visionary support of individuals like Rik and Flo Henrikson,” stated Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. He highlighted the significance of unrestricted funding, noting its role in allowing the university to address the most pressing needs as they arise.

The Henrikson Endowed Fund, following established endowment practices, distributes a portion of its annual investment returns to support various campus programs while reinvesting the remaining funds to maintain and enhance its value over time. This strategy is crucial for ensuring that the endowment not only keeps pace with inflation but continues to support its intended purposes for generations.

Unlike many endowed funds that are earmarked for specific uses, the Henrikson endowment allows the chancellor to direct funds toward UC San Diego’s highest priorities. It has been instrumental in funding undergraduate scholarships, graduate fellowships, and interdisciplinary research initiatives that have the potential to create significant impact.

The legacy of the Henriksons is also honored through the Rik and Flo Henrikson Commons located in the Audrey Geisel University House. Rik Henrikson, who earned his law degree from UC Berkeley, moved to San Diego and co-founded Jennings, Engstrand and Henrikson, a prominent law firm focusing on land use, real estate, business, and estate planning. His contributions extended beyond law; he was also a co-owner of the popular Grossmont Center outdoor shopping mall in San Diego.

Henrikson’s commitment to education and empowerment was evident in his decision to include UC San Diego in his estate plans. He believed that the university’s leadership was best positioned to determine where the funds could have the greatest impact. “Rik would say, ‘I don’t know what UC San Diego needs to spend the money on. The chancellor has a much better idea of where the funding is needed than I do,’” recounted Tony Dimitroff, Henrikson’s former law partner and trustee for the endowment.

This generous gift from the Henriksons exemplifies the enduring impact that philanthropic contributions can have on educational institutions. By providing unrestricted funds, donors like Rik and Flo Henrikson enable universities to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing landscape, ensuring that they can continue to fulfill their mission of advancing knowledge and supporting student success.

For more information on supporting UC San Diego, visit giving.ucsd.edu.