South Florida resident and philanthropist Frank DiMino has made a generous $1 million donation to the King’s Academy to endow its engineering program. The endowment will allow the school to expand its STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) faculty and provide merit and need-based scholarships. In recognition of his gift, the program has been named the DiMino Engineering Program.
“Investing in our future begins with helping young adults reach their potential today,” DiMino said. “It is my pleasure to give this gift to the TKA STEM program. This endowment will allow students to work toward improving our future for many generations.”
DiMino was born in Grotte, Sicily. His family immigrated to the United States in 1935 when he was a young boy and eventually settled in Rochester, N.Y. At a young age, he assisted his mother in the financial support of his family. This sparked his lifelong passion for entrepreneurship and philanthropy. At the height of his entrepreneurial activity, DiMino owned and operated a wide variety of businesses.
“Words alone cannot properly express our appreciation to Mr. DiMino,” TKA President Randal Martin said. “His generosity will allow the King’s Academy to more effectively instruct students who express an interest in the field of engineering. It is my hope that TKA students will meet the challenges of an increasingly complex world with engineering and technological solutions. This endowment will sustain our engineering program into the future and allow TKA to offer a world-class program.”
Throughout its history, TKA has implemented programs that enhance the focus and mission of the school to graduate Christian leaders who will impact their world. The school recently completed the Boswell Science & Technology Center, which houses its STEM program classes. DiMino’s gift will allow for growth of the school’s engineering program and will provide students the opportunity to explore this fast-growing field whether it be for curiosity sake or to pursue a career. The engineering program has been nationally recognized by Project Lead the Way as a distinguished program.
“We are so grateful for Mr. DiMino’s generous gift, which will allow our PLTW Distinguished Engineering program to continue to grow and flourish. Albert Einstein once said, ‘Scientists investigate that which already is; engineers create that which has never been.’ This endowment will continue to allow the TKA engineering program to prepare students while they explore the field of engineering, make the leap from dreamers to doers and create that which has never been,” said Keith Allen, director of the DiMino Engineering Program.
