Philanthropy 2. Using Philanthropy to Anchor Institutional Exchange and Collaboration

Nicola Foote, Dean, David C. Frederick Honors College, University of Pittsburgh

In this session, I discuss how the unique structure of the naming gift for the David C. Frederick Honors College is being used to build cross-institutional collaborations with University College Oxford, and explore how an innovative approach to philanthropic collaboration can serve as a model for creating national and international networks in support of Honors education.

In July of 2022, the University of Pittsburgh Honors College – one of the oldest Honors Colleges in the nation, established as a college in 1987 – was named in Honors of Pitt’s first Rhodes Scholar and leading appellate lawyer, David C. Frederick. This naming gift was developed with an innovative structure designed to build a connection between Mr. Frederick’s two alma maters and ensure that both could benefit from the same legacy gift. David and his wife Sophie made a donation to University College Oxford to fund the creation of a residential facility at their new “Univ North” campus. The proceeds from this residency will flow back to the University of Pittsburgh over a 40 year period, creating a total endowment expansion for the Honors College of over $60 million.

This presentation examines how the collaborative philanthropic approach has seeded relationships between the two institutions that are supporting intellectual and pedagogical exchange, including joint summer research internships and postgraduate teaching exchanges. It suggests possibilities for how philanthropic collaborations can be used to build identity and community and expand learning possibilities across campuses.