Goucher College and the University of Utah are the recent beneficiaries of multi-million dollar gifts made by alumni of the two institutions.
Goucher College
Goucher College, a liberal arts college in Towson, Maryland, announced last week that it will receive a bequest of about $55 million—the largest in the institution’s 140-year history — from Goucher alumna Anica Donnan Rawnsley.
The bulk of the gift — $50 million — will go into Goucher’s endowment, where it will support scholarships for Goucher students. The remaining funds will be used to support other college initiatives.
“Equity, inclusivity, and academic excellence have been at the heart of Goucher’s mission since our founding in 1885. This transformational gift will ensure that Goucher can fulfill that mission for decades to come,” said Goucher College President Kent Devereaux, in the news release.
“Ninety-nine percent of current Goucher students receive either financial aid or scholarships of some type.,” added Devereaux. “Our graduates go on to serve their communities, perform groundbreaking scientific research, and become civic leaders, entrepreneurs, or creative professionals where they make their mark in the world. Future generations of Goucher students will be able to do that, in part, thanks to the tremendous generosity of Mrs. Rawnsley.”
Anica Donnan Rawnsley graduated from Goucher in 1951. She also attended Bank Street College, earning a Masters of Education degree. Rawnsley worked as an elementary school teacher early in her career and was also an active volunteer for several nonprofits throughout her life. In addition to serving two eight-year terms on the Goucher College Board of Trustees, she was the first female trustee of Washington and Jefferson College, which awarded her an honorary degree in 2003.
University of Utah
The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation has given $25 million to the University of Utah. With the gift, the university will establish the J.W. Marriott, Jr. Institute, where students will learn the practice and principles of hospitality and how they can be integrated in several academic fields, including business, healthcare, design, technology, and engineering.
“We are redefining hospitality not simply as an industry but as a mindset that empowers leaders in every field to create exceptional experiences and drive meaningful impact by honoring the values that have long defined the Marriott name—excellence, integrity, and service to others,” said Taylor Randall, president of the University of Utah, in the university’s news release.
“The Marriott family’s deep connection to the University of Utah, with J.W. ‘Bill’ Marriott, Jr. as a proud alumnus and long-time supporter, is a testament to their enduring commitment to expanding opportunities for all people,” said Randall. “We are deeply grateful for their visionary leadership in establishing this pioneering institute, which will carry Bill Marriott’s legacy forward and prepare our students to lead in the evolving experience economy.”
J. W. “Bill” Marriott Jr., the chairman emeritus of Marriott Interantional, graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in banking and finance. He joined his family’s business — Hot Shoppes restaurants — and built it into a global hospitality company that now has thousands of properties across the world including the Marriott, Sheraton, Westin, Ritz-Carlton hotel chains.
“My dad is proud to be a University of Utah alum and to have a hospitality institute established in his name is a source of pride for him and our entire family,” said David S. Marriott, trustee of the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation and chairman of the board of Marriott International.
In addition to the University of Utah, the Marriott Foundation has made major gifts for hospitality education at Howard University, Penn State University, and Purdue University.