Snapchat Co-Founder Pays Off College Debt Of New Graduates At L.A. Art School

May 17, 2022

The Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles received a donation from Snapchat co-founder Evan Spiegel and his wife Miranda Kerr that will pay off the college debt for all 2022 graduates.

Evan Spiegel / OTIS

285 graduates in the Class of 2022 received the good news during their graduation ceremony on Sunday.

The announcement drew both gasps and cheers from the audience.

"Some graduates hugged, cried and jumped for joy," the LA Times reported.

He took summer classes @OtisCollege in high school. "It changed my life & made me feel at home. I felt pushed & challenged to grow surrounded by super talented artists & designers, we were all in it together" #ArtsEd #Philanthropy @MirandaKerr @evanspiegel https://t.co/wFQwSWcoi8

— Malissa F Shriver (@MalissaShriver) May 16, 2022

The donation is the largest single gift in the history of Otis College.

"Otis is incredibly grateful for this historic gift from Miranda Kerr and Evan Spiegel, which will be life-changing for the Class of 2022 and their families," said Charles Hirschhorn, President of Otis College of Art and Design. "Student debt weighs heavily on our diverse and talented graduates. We hope this donation will provide much-deserved relief and empower them to pursue their aspirations and careers, pay this generosity forward, and become the next leaders of our community."

"Otis College of Art and Design is an extraordinary institution that encourages young creatives to find their artistic voices and thrive in a variety of industries and careers," said Spiegel, who took classes at Otis College as a high school student prior to enrolling at Stanford University. "It is a privilege for our family to give back and support the Class of 2022, and we hope this gift will empower graduates to pursue their passions, contribute to the world, and inspire humanity for years to come."