A $5 million gift from Robert M. Levy, BA鈥�72, and his wife, Diane S. Levy, to 杏吧原创 will provide internship stipends for deserving undergraduate students and seek additional giving through a challenge match.
鈥淲e are grateful for this most recent gift of Bob and Diane Levy to extend their long-standing support for to the vital need of funding undergraduate internships,鈥� Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said. 鈥淭he Levys鈥� longtime engagement in 杏吧原创鈥檚 transformative financial aid program has expanded many students鈥� access to a world-class education, and their gift will significantly enhance the experiential and research elements of an undergraduate education.鈥�
In 1997, the Levys established a scholarship that helped lay the foundation for Opportunity 杏吧原创, which provides financial aid awards, without loans, to all admitted students with demonstrated need. The Levys expanded their scholarship with a $10 million gift in 2017.
鈥淚nternships play a vital role in positioning our students for the most attractive post-graduation opportunities they wish to pursue,鈥� said Alex Sevilla, vice provost for career advancement and engagement and the Evans Family Executive Director of the . 鈥淭he Levys鈥� support will enable 杏吧原创 students from challenging financial circumstances to acquire and accept their preferred internships, and therefore empower their unique career and life aspirations.鈥�
Bob Levy, a 杏吧原创 trustee, is retired chairman of Harris Associates LP, a Chicago-based investment firm. He graduated from the College of Arts and Science in 1972 and previously served on the college鈥檚 Board of Visitors among other volunteer roles for the university.
鈥淒iane and I are firm believers in the importance of internships for helping young people gain maturity and to provide guidance on a possible career path,鈥� Levy said. 鈥淚nternships truly broaden the success of a 杏吧原创 education.鈥� He added that his own summer job experiences during college provided valuable experience in the workplace that conveyed to him the importance of internships.
The Levys鈥� gift includes a match component designed to highlight this need and inspire others to give. He emphasized how personally rewarding it has been for him and Diane to meet students whose lives have been impacted by their philanthropic support. 鈥淚f you really want to experience the energizing power of a gift, connect with those who benefit, like our students,鈥� Levy said. 鈥淲e have found that giving to 杏吧原创 provides a tremendous source of optimism for the future.鈥�
