Walter Kortschak left a large donation for a new learning center
Walter Kortschak has seen his wife Marcia and two kids suffer from learning disabilities for years and decided to make the largest donation ever given to USC Student Affairs.
A few months after granting $10 million dollars towards the creation of a center dedicated to students with disabilities like dyslexia and ADHD, the Kortschak Learning Center was created. Tuesday marks the ceremonial ribbon cutting and opening of a new place for students with disabilities to call home.
“The time is now to make a difference,” Kortschak said.
Kortschak is a venture capitalist for Summit Partners, based out of Palo Alto, Calif. Kortschak’s wife Marcia suffers from dyslexia. She said she hopes similar centers will become a fixture on many other campuses in the future.
“We are a family that has a number of disabilities and we have seen how each of us can be successful given the supports of either an advocate, a mentor, [or] the technology.”
The facility, located in USC’s Student Union, will provide tutoring sessions, individualized learning, occupational therapy and assistance with technology and reading comprehension.
“Students may have some problems with organizational skills and strategies, needing to utilize technology that this center can provide so they can be successful,” said Eddie Roth, director of USC Disability Services and Programs.
The Kortschak Center operates off interest from Kortschak’s initial donation, which the university invested. The center was also given seed money for startup renovations and construction purposes, according to Roth.
“They got into this school just like any other student, this center is to help them succeed and show what they know,” Roth said. “It’s meant for working within a university environment with their disability.”
USC joins the likes of Yale, Stanford and the University of Arizona as institutions equipped with world-class disability facilities.
Roth said USC’s current disability services provide access, but the Korschak Center will be students’ key to success.
Kortschak and his wife also founded the Kortschak Family Foundation in 2002 which supports programs that further academics.
The center, located in Student Union 331, is expected to be complete in December and open in January.
Vice President of Student Affairs Michael Jackson believes the center’s opening is a great step forward for USC students.
“It delights me that we can get this started at USC and it excites me that there are students on this campus that think ‘maybe the Kortschak Center can help me be even better at what I do,’” Jackson said.
