Seton Hill University (SHU) recently received 3.5 million dollars from the estate of Carol Ann Reichgut, an alumnus of 1956. Reichgut, who died in January, taught music in the Montgomery County, MD school district for 35 years. Her gift will be used to endow more than $50,000 in annual scholarships for minority students, according to the Associated Press.
By Jeremy Barrick
Online Editor
Seton Hill University (SHU) recently received 3.5 million dollars from the estate of Carol Ann Reichgut, an alumnus of 1956. Reichgut, who died in January, taught music in the Montgomery County, MD school district for 35 years. Her gift will be used to endow more than $50,000 in annual scholarships for minority students, according to the Associated Press.
“Monetary gifts to the university are pathways to scholarships for future Seton Hill alumni. The gift invites new minds to SHU and opens new doors for the college to offer more to the students,” said Katie Monsour, an adjunct professor.
Each year Reichgut provided over $50,000 in scholarships for minority students so that they would be able to experience an exceptional education at SHU, and she has continued that generous support through her estate.
“Seton Hill has grown so much since I came here in 2004 but the current state of the economy is making it very hard for students already enrolled to continue their education. Finding money each semester and obtaining private student loans has become increasingly more difficult,” said Natasha Hill, a senior. “It would be money well-spent if some money was put into scholarships, based of financial need or merit for students already enrolled and are in danger of not being able to finish their education due to financial circumstances. Maybe divide the scholarships between academic departments (education, social work, music, etc).”
“I hope they use it for more library books. Especially some psychology books that were written after 1975,” said Daryle Gracey, a senior.
SHU will also name the concert hall in its Performing Arts Center, in downtown Greensburg, after Reichgut.
Reichgut was also the recipient of the 2001 Distinguished Alumna Leadership Award, which demonstrated outstanding achievement and leadership in one or more of the following areas: education, business and professions, science and technology, arts, voluntary services and philanthropy.