Donor Gift Names Carroll University College of Health Sciences

Carroll University announced a transformational gift from alumni Dr. Daniel Von Hoff ’69 and Ann Leighton ’70 Von Hoff that will support the continued growth of the university’s health sciences programs.

In recognition of the Von Hoffs’ generosity and longstanding commitment to Carroll, the university named its College of Health Sciences the Von Hoff College of Health Sciences.

“This gift will allow us to invest in our students and their experiences. It will also allow us to expand our highly regarded Physician Assistant program and explore the development of many other in-demand health care programs, helping to strengthen the pipeline of highly skilled and compassionate healthcare leaders for our region and beyond,” said Carroll University President Cindy Gnadinger. “We are so incredibly grateful to the Von Hoffs for their trust in Carroll, for believing in our students and for investing in the future of healthcare.”

Daniel and Ann Von Hoff are both Carroll graduates with deep ties to the university and lifelong commitments to education and the sciences.

Daniel Von Hoff studied biology and chemistry at Carroll before becoming a nationally and internationally recognized leader in cancer research. His career has focused on translating scientific discoveries into new treatments and better outcomes for patients, while also mentoring generations of healthcare and research leaders.

Ann Leighton Von Hoff studied elementary education and geography at Carroll and enabled Dan’s research through unwavering support of his time commitment to his work and dedication to their family. Together, the couple has maintained a strong commitment to scientific research and the transformative power of higher education.

Their support of Carroll extends well beyond their latest gift to the College of Health Sciences. The Von Hoffs previously supported the naming of the Dr. Roy J. Christoph Health Center in the Center for Student Life and Wellness, honoring Christoph, a professor emeritus of biology who served as an important mentor to the couple during their time at Carroll. They have also supported endowed scholarships that help Carroll students pursue their academic goals.

“We are grateful we have the ability to support Carroll through this gift. The changing nature of healthcare will continue to put demands on highly skilled and well-educated individuals who provide care in addition to a primary physician.  The importance of these roles and providing resources to expand into additional programs is critical to the quality of our healthcare now and in the future. Carroll’s outcomes on licensure exams speak to the quality of the education provided by Carroll in the health sciences and we are proud to associate our names with this important work,” said Dr. Daniel and Ann Von Hoff.

The newly named Von Hoff College of Health Sciences brings together Carroll’s growing portfolio of health-related academic programs and experiential learning opportunities. The college’s new home provides space designed to foster collaboration, discovery and hands-on learning as Carroll prepares students for careers across the healthcare field.

The announcement was made Sept. 3 during a dedication and ribbon-cutting for Carroll’s new College of Health Sciences facility. The building renovation is part of Carroll’s multi-year, $52.5 million facilities plan and transformed the former Randall Elementary School into a modern home for health sciences education, one of several spaces where health science programs are offered that will bear the Von Hoff’s name.

“Dan and Ann Von Hoff have demonstrated through their lives and their philanthropy the profound impact that a Carroll education can have,” Gnadinger said. “Their legacy will live not simply in a name, but in the countless students who will be educated at The Von Hoff College of Health Sciences, and the patients and communities those students will ultimately serve. It is my hope that this new facility, together with the Von Hoffs’ incredible investment in the health sciences, will strengthen our communities, advance healthcare and improve lives for generations to come.”