by Amrit Brown<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Hodson Trust gave $54 million to Hood College this month as its final gift to the school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is the largest gift in school history and 100% of it will go to student scholarships. The gift will increase Hood\u2019s endowment by 42%. In fiscal year 2022, the school\u2019s endowment sat at $122.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are deeply grateful to the Hodson Trust for this historic gift,\u201d said Hood College President Andrea Chapdelaine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hodson scholarships are for students who demonstrated leadership both academically and in their communities in high school while also displaying excellent academic abilities. Chapdelaine said that the money will increase financial stability at the institution as well as allow the school to increase investment in its core missions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Hodson Trust was established by Clarence Hodson in 1936 and was terminated in November 2022. In total, the trust has gifted $150 million to Hood College\u2019s endowment. The trust also gave money to Johns Hopkins University, Washington College and St. John\u2019s College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As of 2022, 252 students, or 21% of the student body, at Hood were Hodson scholars. Additionally, since its establishment in the 1978-79 academic year, 2,237 students have received a Hodson scholarship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hood College celebrated the gift at the Beneficial-Hodson library last week. Finn Scott-Daniels, a sophomore, said that they gave out cupcakes, shirts and stickers. \u201cThey also asked us to sign a paper to thank the Hodson trust for the money,\u201d Scott-Daniels said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis final gift is a testament to the incalculable legacy of the Hodson Trust at Hood College and one that will last in perpetuity,\u201d Chapdelaine said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"