Rik Henrikson

"The Henriksons were longtime supporters of UCSD. They believed deeply in the value of higher education, and they understood the importance of unrestricted funds to the university’s continuing excellence. The Henrikson unrestricted endowment was a conscious effort to fuel innovation without limits," says Tony Dimitroff, trustee for the Henrikson endowment and Rik Henrikson’s former law partner.

In 2001, through their estates, Rik and Flo Henrikson bequeathed more than $10 million to UCSD to fund an unrestricted endowment to be used for important campus projects, at the chancellor’s discretion.

Dimitroff added, "Rik always said, 'The chancellor has a much better idea of where the money is needed than I do.'"

Today, the Henrikson endowment provides UCSD with discretionary dollars that can be applied to fulfill the university’s greatest needs and to pursue important emerging opportunities compatible with the chancellor’s strategic vision. The campus has already utilized this endowment to create student scholarships and fellowships.