2025 Partners in Philanthropy Family Legacy Award: Simon Family

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[Cynthia Simon Skjodt] I always tell my kids "Go help somebody else, helping other people don't have what you have."

The Simon family.

The Simon family.

[Scott Dolson] The Simon family, you know, if you look up the word "philanthropy" in the dictionary, the Simon family should have their picture next to the definition, because they truly do it the right way.

[Leslie Kaiser] Philanthropy is how they do business. It's how they live life.

[Curt Simic] That ethos of giving, I've never seen anything like it.

All family members contributing to make something happen.

[Cynthia Simon Skjodt] There are 17 members of the Simon or the Skjodt family who have gone to IU. I saw my father and my uncle do incredible things. It's my responsibility to carry that torch.

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Indiana University helped me through some very traumatic times. It was my escapism. I was very close to my mother. She passed away in 1977 from cancer. I was 19. I was a freshman when she died. She was an incredible woman, incredible voice. I had a hard time when my mother was sick. Her dying, made me change my life in what I wanted to do with my life.

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My father was stationed out here at Fort Ben in the "financial arm" of the Army. Once he met my mother on a blind date, he decided to stay; brought his brothers and they all worked for Melvin Simon and Associates. At the time, indoor malls were not the thing, but they were very successful at doing that and the rest is history. My uncle, my father, they've done amazing things. My uncle Herb, may I say, is one of the most kindhearted, generous people you will ever meet. The Herb Simon Foundation, they have done incredible stuff. Also, my father was always very charitable in many ways, and that's what I want to emulate.

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[Curt Simic] What the Simon family has done in multiple ways is astounding. In the music school, in the business school, in the athletics, in cancer's research, in the Riley Children's program, this is all that same family.

Cindy has a real thoughtful approach to her philanthropy.

[Cynthia Simon Skjodt] There are so many people around the world that are suffering. That's my mission in life is to make sure people aren't suffering all the time.

[Curt Simic] There is a whole succession of major gifts that came because their bunch was building the Hillel Building.

[Cynthia Simon Skjodt] They named it after my aunt, Helene Simon Hillel Center.

[Gene Tempel] She knew that there were resources that they had that they could share, do philanthropy, make gifts.

[Cynthia Simon Skjodt] We do so many different big gifts to thousand dollar gifts, it's just all over.

[Curt Simic] And then came along Cindy's involvement with the athletics program.

[Scott Dolson] There was a lot of discussion about what should the future of Assembly Hall be? I distinctly remember meeting with Cindy, she said.

[Cynthia Simon Skjodt] "Don't tear down that iconic, beautiful building that's brought us so much joy."

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So, the Hoosiers will soon play in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, that after Cindy Simon Skjodt agreed to donate 40 million dollars.

[Scott Dolson] She really had a passion for what Assembly Hall meant to the State of Indiana. When people come to Assembly Hall, it does definitely feel like the building everyone grew up with.

[Cynthia Simon Skjodt] If you love this university, you should give back to this university. The Simon Cancer Center.

[Gene Tempel] Which was huge. That was a 50 million dollar gift to help develop the Simon Cancer Center into what it is today, a powerhouse in terms of cancer research and treatment.

[Cynthia Simon Skjodt] Having had two parents that died from cancer, it's just, how many people suffer from cancer?

[Dr. Kelvin Lee] The mission of the Simon Cancer Center is to lift the burden of cancer for all Hoosiers.

[Curt Simic] We're so far ahead of a lot of things that are going on at the medical school. We have some of the best in the world.

[Gene Tempel] They have also supported the Jacobs School of Music here.

[Cynthia Simon Skjodt] The Recital Hall.

[Curt Simic] That was to honor Cindy's mother, which was wonderful.

[Cynthia Simon Skjodt] What a way to honor my mother, through this beautiful school of music, one of the best music schools in the country.

[Scott Dolson] When the Simon family puts their stamp on a cause, they know it's important.

[Joyce Rogers] The Simon family is going to be one of the leaders that's going to stand up to get it done.

[Curt Simic] The impact has been huge. Our state is better, our country is better, and our university is better equipped to serve the students who come here to learn.

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[Joyce Rogers] What is so phenomenal about the Simon family is that, their philanthropy has not just stopped with one generation.

[Cynthia Simon Skjodt] Out kids are taught how to be kind, giving people. That's the whole purpose, of them to have this money so that they can proceed to help other people. That's what my father intended.

[Curt Simic] They really are the banner carriers. They're the ones that our out front.

[Joyce Rogers] They have really put in the work to help the future generations of their family understand their philanthropic priorities and the impact for the community that's being served.

[Gene Tempel] They're building a better world in which they live, but which all of us will live.

I think of Hoosier as someone that when there is a challenge, they don't run from it, they run towards it and there is nobody that's ever been better at doing that then the Simon family period. They're Hoosiers.

[J. T. Forbes] On behalf of Indiana University, I want to thank the Simon family.

[Joyce Rogers] Thank you so much.

[Gene Tempel] Thank you.

[Dr. Kelvin Lee] Thank you and congratulations to the Simon family for all the tremendous things you've done.

[Scott Dolson] I can't thank the Simon family enough for all of their support across the board for the entire university.

[Curt Simic] You, as a family, inspire so many wonderful things. I cherish the fact that I've rubbed shoulders with you as you have changed the world.

[Gene Tempel] On behalf of all those people who benefit.

[Joyce Rogers] Life is so much better for so many people, because you're in it.

[J. T. Forbes] What a legacy.

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