Higher Ed Utah

(Catherine Groux, US News) — Salt Lake City, Utah’s Westminster College recently announced that it has received a $3 million donation from the Sorenson Legacy Foundation, The Salt Lake Tribune reports. This money will be put toward a new chair position for art education as well as an expansion of the school’s art education offerings.

Specifically, the school plans to launch a creative arts education minor for bachelor’s degree seekers, as well as a master’s degree program in teaching. Additionally, the college will create an outreach initiative for teachers and artists to share their skills with students in Utah schools.

Many schools have seen an increase in the donations they have received. In recent years, the Sorenson Legacy Foundation has aimed to bolster art education across Utah. The organization has now pledged to give Southern Utah University $1 million. Additionally, Beverley Taylor Sorenson, the woman behind the philanthropy, has given more than $20 million to promote art education in local elementary schools.

Another college that recently received a large donation is DePaul University. The Catholic institution in Chicago was given $30 million from investment manager Richard Driehaus, The Chicago Tribune reports. This was the largest donation the school has ever received.

Driehaus, who earned both a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Business Administration from DePaul, said he wants the money to go toward faculty at the business college. Ray Whittington, dean of the business college, told the Tribune that currently, the school is facing a faculty shortage, which may be ameliorated with Driehaus’ funds.

Many colleges across the country have seen an increase in generosity from philanthropists like Sorenson and Driehaus. According to a recent report by the Council for Aid to Education cited by The Chronicle of Higher Education, donations to postsecondary schools increased by 8.2% in 2011, bringing the total to an estimated $30.3 billion. This number is quickly approaching $31.6 billion, which was raised in 2008, the best year ever for college donations. More…