Microsoft Endows Gaming Initiative at USC

New initiative includes an endowed professorship and support for the school’s gaming lab

Microsoft is supporting the gaming division of the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts Interactive Media Division, the tech company announced on Tuesday.

The amount of the donation was not disclosed.

Christened the Microsoft Next Generation Entertainment Initiative, the gift cover an endowed faculty member and financial support for the game innovation lab and interactive entertainment program.

“With this very generous gift, Microsoft shines the spotlight on the future of gaming. I hope this Initiative further helps to focus leaders in all disciplines of the entertainment industry on the substance and consequence of interactive media education,” Elizabeth M. Daley, dean of USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, said in a statement.

The Microsoft endowed professorship is expected to begin in the summer 2011.

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