LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – One of the UNLV’s biggest donors has pulled funding due to “adversarial behavior” from university leaders.
In a letter to UNLV President Keith Whitfield, Kris Engelstad, the CEO of the Englestad Foundation, announced her decision to “no longer support, financially or otherwise, any initiatives, projects, or future endeavors for UNLV beyond the already existing Engelstad Foundation Scholar Program.”
The letter goes on to state, “However, due to the unfortunate actions of the UNLV’s leadership, I am no longer able to align The Engelstad Foundation with the University. Specifically, I have been exasperated in my interactions with the past five University presidents (except for Len Jessup). It seems to me that UNLV is not interested in considering the opinions of others or making progress.”
Engelstad continued by highlighting that the “adversarial relationship” between her and the university has “morphed over the year, but never dissipated.”
UNLV released a statement following the announcement, thanking the Engelstad Foundation for its support but disagreeing with the “characterization of facts from what has been a difficult negotiation.”
Read the full statement from UNLV below:
The foundation has contributed over $43.5 million to UNLV throughout its relationship with the university, including a $15 million donation for the construction of the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine’s main building.
According to the Engelstad Foundation’s website, the foundation supported UNLV Bands, the Center for Business and Economic Research, the College of Engineering, the School of Medicine, and the men’s soccer team, among others. Additionally, the foundation formed the Engelstad Medical Scholars Fund and contributed to the university scholarship fund.
Engelstad noted that current scholars are not affected by the decision to pull funding.
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