A Westchester couple has given a $5 million gift to SUNY Purchase College to establish three new funds that will support faculty and the Conservatory of Music, the college reported.
Emily and Eugene Grant of Mamaroneck have previously funded hundreds of students at Purchase College through the Eugene and Emily Grant Merit Scholarship and the Eugene and Emily Grant Music Scholarship programs, college officials said in a press release announcing the gift. Their most recent donation will offer incentive awards for faculty; cover production expenses for the opera program, such as royalties, costumes and guest artists; and provide funds for other conservatory needs.
“My husband and I believe in the positive impact of quality public higher education,” Emily Grant said in the press release. She joined the board of the Purchase College Foundation in 1969, serving as chairwoman for 18 years.
The grant will establish three funds:Â the Eugene Grant Faculty Incentive Fund, the Emily Grant Opera Performance and Production Fund and the Emily Grant Director”™s Excellence Fund.
The faculty incentive fund will help recruit and retain faculty and establish the Eugene Grant Distinguished Scholar for the Liberal Arts. The opera fund will provide support for productions, and the director”™s excellence fund will support undergraduate and graduate student scholarships, faculty and staff awards as well as facility enhancements.
“The Grants have been one of our most steadfast supporters for more than 40 years,” Purchase College President Thomas J. Schwarz said in the press release. “Their latest gift will enhance Purchase College”™s ability to attract and retain the highest caliber faculty and provide more students access to high quality education in the arts and liberal arts.”
