In addition to his various foundations, Rockefeller poured money into education. He donated tens of millions to the University of Chicago, which he was instrumental in the founding of, and provided substantial support to, the likes of Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and Brown.
He also gave money to his own Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, which would later be renamed the Rockefeller University in 1965, a decade after welcoming its first graduate students. In addition, Rockefeller donated generously to the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary, which was an African-American women’s university. Rockefeller was reportedly impressed by the institution's vision for the future, and offered to clear all its debts. It was later renamed Spelman’s College – again, in memory of Laura.