Colby-Sawyer College in New Hampshire has received the largest gift in its 183-year history—$10.2 million donation that will mostly boost the school’s endowment.
The gift, which Colby-Sawyer President Susan D. Stuebner called “transformative,” came form longtime college supporters William and Sonja Carlson Davidow, the later of whom is an alumna.
It will increase Colby-Sawyer’s $57 million endowment by 20%.
The college will use $4 million of the donation to endow two faculty chairs that allow professors to pursue research and other developmental opportunities.
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The Davidow Center for Art + Design, the college’s newest building, will receive $500,000 to create a maintenance and improvement fund.
Another $500,000 will launch a new scholarship for students who would not otherwise able to afford tuition at Colby-Sawyer.
The college will use $3 million of donation as matching gifts to endow three additional faculty chairs, and $2 million will match endowed scholarship funds. This will bring the full impact of the gift to more than $15 million.
“Colby-Sawyer is a college of the future,” William Davidow said. “At a time when many are questioning the value of a college education, Colby-Sawyer is producing graduates that are in great demand as they enter the workforce.”
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