Paul G. Allen passes away

Former WSU student donated $26 million to school eight years ago

COURTESY OF WIKI COMMONS

Allen had the School for Global Animal Health named in his honor after he donated $26 million to WSU in 2010.

RYAN MOSHER and DYLAN GREENE
October 15, 2018

Paul G. Allen died from complications with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma today in Seattle. He was 65 years old.

Allen was the co-founder of Microsoft, owner of the Seattle Seahawks and the Portland Trailblazers, and was a noted philanthropist.

Allen attended WSU for two years before dropping out of college to take a job in computer programming. In 1996, Allen donated $3.1 million to his old fraternity Phi Kappa Theta and in 2010 he made the largest private grant in school history by gifting $26 million to WSU’s School for Global Animal Health. The university named the school after him due to the donation and WSU broke ground on the Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health on Sept. 15.

Allen announced on Oct. 1 that the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma he battled in 1982 had returned and he was undergoing treatment.

In a statement from Vulcan Inc., the holdings company Allen founded in 1986, his sister Jody Allen releases a statement on behalf of his family.

“My brother was a remarkable individual on every level. While most knew Paul Allen as a technologist and philanthropist, for us he was a much loved brother and uncle, and an exceptional friend,” Jody said.

“Paul’s family and friends were blessed to experience his wit, warmth, his generosity and deep concern. For all the demands on his schedule, there was always time for family and friends. At this time of loss and grief for us – and so many others – we are profoundly grateful for the care and concern he demonstrated every day.” 

Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement in response to Allen’s death and addressed his impact on the state.

“Paul Allen stands as a giant in Washington history for the genius vision that was so important to creating Microsoft with Bill Gates. That he went on to do so much more for our state, nation and the world puts him in rarefied company.”