A Spark for Science & Engineering
A $3 million gift from the Ann & Norman Hoffman Family Foundation will help build a new facility for collaborative learning and research.
Ann and Norman Hoffman have spent decades building a legacy of philanthropy that continues to shape the lives of STEM students.
A generous family is paving the way for future engineers at UND by transforming their educational experiences.
The Norman & Ann Hoffman Family Foundation has contributed $3 million toward the new UND STEM Complex. With an additional match from the state of North Dakota, the gift will grow to $9 million of impact for the project. The gift follows years of passionate support from Norman Hoffman, ’59, to his alma mater and is a pivotal donor commitment to the $82 million STEM project. This initiative will enhance UND’s engineering, chemistry, math, data science, biology, and physics programs.
Norman first gave to the University of North Dakota in 1968 and has been supporting engineering ever since. In 2008, he and Ann established the Ann & Norman Hoffman Chair of National Defense and Energetics, a position held by Dr. Gautham Krishnamoorthy since its inception. The Ann and Norman Hoffman Energetics Resource Center is a space in Harrington Hall that symbolizes Norman’s passion for the industry. His journey of philanthropy led to the creation of his family foundation.
He grew up with almost nothing, and after achieving more success in life than he ever imagined possible, he wanted to help other people get to where they want to be in life.Julia Hoffman, daughter of Norm & Ann Hoffman
Julia (left) and Jeanne (right) Hoffman are following their parents' footsteps and keeping the Hoffman family legacy thriving.
Norman and Ann are still active in philanthropy, but the next generation of Hoffmans is leading the foundation into the future. Their daughters Julia and Jeanne serve on the Norman & Ann Hoffman Family Foundation’s Board of Directors along with Chief Financial Officer Jerry Storms, Norman’s longtime friend.
“He grew up with almost nothing, and after achieving more success in life than he ever imagined possible, he wanted to help other people get to where they want to be in life,” Julia said.
The latest gift from the family will help kickstart Phase I construction of the UND STEM Complex, which will house research labs, collaboration spaces, student success resources and classrooms, and office spaces. The building will bring together the best minds across several programs within the UND College of Engineering & Mines and the UND College of Arts & Sciences.
“We’re excited about this because it provides a chance to bring collaborative elements together,” Jeanne said. “Having these programs in close proximity will percolate advancement and spark more creativity and chemistry among students and faculty.”
The Next Chapter of STEM at UND
The Hoffman family’s gift will engineer a brighter future for UND students and help others find their own journey to success. The impact will come soon as the new STEM complex is scheduled to begin construction in Fall 2025.
