UMD receives largest donation gift of over $200M for scholarships, fellowships
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (ABC7) — The A. James and Alice Clark Foundation donated $219,486,000 to the University of Maryland on Wednesday, which is the largest amount ever given to public education in the state.
James Clark, a 1950 University of Maryland graduate, made a fortune constructing buildings including more than two dozen on Maryland’s College Park campus.
Clark gave to the school for years, and Maryland's College of Engineering is named after him. He died two years ago and his wife and children said this gift from the family foundation will be his legacy.
"He was given an opportunity to come here on a scholarship and wanted to give back that same opportunity to all the promising young students in the state of Maryland," said Courtney Clark Pastrick, chair of the Clark Foundation.
The money will be used to fund scholarships for outstanding engineering students with limit means, graduate fellowships and faculty chairs.
Maryland President Wallace Loh said the gift, among the largest ever given to a public institution will transform the school. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said its value cant be overstated.
"I really believe this is the most important day in the history of this university," said Hogan.
The goal of this massive gift is to launch bright students.
