In March, DU celebrated groundbreaking for the Dimond Family Residential Village, a new first-year residence hall funded in part by a $5 million donation from the Dimond Family Foundation.
The foundation represents the philanthropic pursuits of Navin (MBA ’86) and Rita Dimond, founders of Denver-based Stonebridge Companies, and their two daughters, Ashley and Sonja. Stonebridge, one of the nation’s leading hospitality companies, features a portfolio of 60 hotels across the nation under the Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and Four Seasons brands.
“Navin and Rita have been supporters of the University of Denver for many years,” says Chancellor Rebecca Chopp. “The Dimond Family Residential Village represents the commitment of Navin and Rita, and indeed the entire Dimond family, to creating community and meaningful experiences for our students. We are immensely grateful for their philanthropy and dedication to the University.”
The first-year residence hall is one of three buildings currently being rolled out as the first phase of the Denver Advantage Campus Framework Plan. The Residential Village will provide student housing designed to create a strong sense of belonging and community among the University’s 1,500 first-year students.
“Our family continues to be inspired by the next generation of leaders, and we very much appreciate the opportunity to give back to the entire University of Denver community in this way,” says Navin Diamond, a DU trustee, and Rita Dimond. “Our family believes giving is much better than receiving, and one of our most important responsibilities is to support students as they pursue their education.”