$2.5 million in anonymous gifts support Elmhurst College
Elmhurst College has announced two significant deferred gifts that will benefit students by supporting the education and music departments.
An anonymous donor established a $1.5 million bequest to create an endowed chair in education. The donor and her sister, both alumnae of Elmhurst, devoted their lives to elementary education and also have had a deep love for the college. The sisters, who have supported Elmhurst College scholarships in the past, recognized the continued importance that faculty research has on the development of best practices in education. The endowed chair, once funded, will be awarded to a faculty member in the College's Department of Education.
Another anonymous donor committed an estimated $1 million estate gift to create an endowment that will support the choral programs at the College. Once realized, this gift will support the College's choral programs, which are growing in both participation and range, ensuring that music will continue to be an integral part of the Elmhurst experience.
The most recent gifts bring the total of fundraising efforts since July 2016 to more than $11 million, with more than $2.5 million going directly to student aid through scholarships.
"It's always gratifying to talk with our alumni and friends about our faculty and students, and it is especially rewarding when donors are moved to ensure that this great work continues," said Elmhurst College President Troy D. VanAken.
Elmhurst College is a four-year college that blends liberal learning and professional preparation to help students reach their potential. Elmhurst offers more than 60 undergraduate majors, 15 graduate programs, evening and online programs for adults, and the Elmhurst Learning and Success Academy for young adults with differing abilities. Elmhurst College is one of the Top 12 Colleges in the Midwest, according to U.S. News & World Report; and U.S. News, Money and Forbes magazines consistently rank Elmhurst as one of the Midwest's best values in higher education.