Tempe, Ariz., April 15, 2025 – A $5 million gift from longtime Arizona State University donor Annette Beus and her family will help provide scholarships for 72 students in the new School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering, part of ASU Health.
The gift will be leveraged to solicit an additional $15 million in scholarship funds, with the goal of raising $20 million by July 2026.
The full $20 million would cover scholarships for the first two cohorts of students in the School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering, whose goal is to produce physicians who blend medicine, engineering, humanities and technology, such as artificial intelligence and data science.
“As we launch a new medical school, one focused on fusing the disciplines of medicine and engineering to produce a new kind of medical professional, we are extremely grateful to Annette Beus for making a gift that will directly impact the students who choose this path and doing so in a way that will encourage others to support this effort,” said ASU President Michael Crow.
Annette Beus, and her late husband, Leo, are longtime supporters of ASU, and their generosity has reached across the university to improve the lives of others and provide access to higher education.
In 2022, the Beuses made an endowed gift to ASU to establish the Beus Center for Cosmic Foundations in the School of Earth and Space Exploration to study the history of early stars, galaxies and black holes in an effort to better understand the universe.
In 2014, the Beuses helped change the face of downtown Phoenix when they gave a gift to establish the Beus Center for Law and Society, home of the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.
The Beuses also donated $10 million in 2019 to establish the Beus Compact X-ray Free Electron Laser Lab in ASU’s Biodesign Institute, which houses the world’s first CXFEL, making cutting-edge research accessible to more institutions.
“We as a family have been supportive of education for young people,” Annette Beus said. “And with all the donations we have made, I think scholarships always have my heart.”
Beus said she believes ASU Health and the School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering can help improve health outcomes for people not only in Arizona but in the United States and around the world.
Sarah Hollingsworth Lisanby, founding dean and professor in the school, said the scholarships will be a game changer for students.
“Words cannot convey what it means for a student to be able to fulfill their dream of becoming a doctor by removing the financial barrier of tuition,” she said. “This gift will enable the best and brightest students to pursue careers as physician-engineers who will change the future of health care through technology and innovation.
This investment is part of ASU’s Changing Futures campaign. ASU is committed to providing inclusive educational access and innovative solutions to the complexities of modern life. Working together, fueled by philanthropic investment and unique partnerships, the university’s Changing Futures campaign is committed to raising resources to have a direct and significant impact on the communities we serve. The campaign focuses on six key areas: enhancing education access, developing leaders, promoting sustainability, strengthening communities, advancing health, and developing impactful technology.