Our George Washington University community is deeply saddened by the passing of visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist Sumner M. Redstone. Among his many contributions, Mr. Redstone leaves an indelible and far-reaching legacy that will continue to drive generations of public health progress, at our university and around the globe.
Mr. Redstone received an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from GW in 2006. In 2014, Mr. Redstone, through his Sumner M. Redstone Charitable Foundation, contributed to the largest philanthropic gift in GW’s history, establishing the Sumner M. Redstone Global Center for Prevention and Wellness. The gift was part of a unique collaboration between friends and collaborators Mr. Redstone and Mike Milken, chairman of the Milken Institute.
This generosity has enabled the center bearing Mr. Redstone’s name, and our Milken Institute School of Public Health, to become preeminent hubs for public health teaching and research that improve the health and wellness of all people and prepare the next generation of public health leaders. Perhaps now more than ever, this work is critical to the future of our world.
We will remain forever grateful to Mr. Redstone for his support of our university and his commitment to improving the lives of others. Our thoughts are with the Redstone family during this difficult time.