Five Million Dollars Donation for the University's Art Gallery Expansion
In a significant move for Lehigh University, alumnus Kenneth R. Woodcock '65 has donated a generous $5 million gift to the Lehigh University Art Galleries (LUAG). This gift, according to university officials, represents the largest donation ever given to LUAG.
The Woodcock Director's Fund, as the donation is named, will be administered by Director William Crow. The fund is intended to preserve LUAG's teaching collection and enhance art education. The critical and flexible support provided by this fund will offer students hands-on, high-impact learning experiences.
Kenneth R. Woodcock's vision for art aligns with that of William Crow, both seeing it as an interdisciplinary engine for teaching, learning, and research. This shared vision is expected to significantly benefit LUAG, enabling expansion and enhancement of the galleries.
The donation will improve exhibition spaces, acquire new collections, support faculty and student opportunities, and elevate Lehigh's profile in arts education. It is believed that this gift will help Lehigh gain national and international recognition as a leader in arts education and programming.
Robert Flowers, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, expressed his excitement, stating that the gift will undoubtedly contribute to Lehigh's growth in the arts. President John D. Simon '19P also expressed gratitude for Woodcock's commitment to enhancing Lehigh's ability to support the arts.
Kenneth R. Woodcock's philanthropy extends beyond LUAG. He has a history of over 30 years of support for the Lehigh Fund and has made generous contributions towards the renovations to Linderman Library, where the iconic rotunda bears his name. He has also established a music recording studio at Zoellner Arts Center and supported the creation of a private Center for the Study of Hale Family Art for his collection of 19th and 20th century American art.
Woodcock's philanthropy extends beyond Lehigh, with his involvement in various nonprofit organisations such as the Washington National Cathedral, Washington National Opera, Choral Arts Society of Washington, Washington Concert Opera, Preserve Rhode Island, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Before his philanthropic endeavours, Woodcock began his career with DuPont and later served in various government positions, including as the environmental advisor to the energy czars during the Arab oil embargo of 1974. He was also involved in the founding of the AES Corporation, a global electric company, and retired as a senior vice president in 2004.
Woodcock's gift to LUAG is unique in that it is a structured gift, allowing him to see his philanthropy in action immediately and plan for continued impact as a legacy gift. His desire to make the world a better place through learning and service is evident in this generous donation.
For detailed and specific information on how this gift will transform LUAG and art education at Lehigh, we recommend consulting Lehigh University's official announcements, LUAG press releases, or alumni publications. These resources will provide comprehensive coverage of the donation's impact.
- Kenneth R. Woodcock's donation of $5 million to Lehigh University Art Galleries (LUAG) is a structured gift, allowing him to see his philanthropy in action immediately and plan for continued impact as a legacy.
- The Woodcock Director's Fund will be administered by Director William Crow and is intended to enhance art education by preserving LUAG's teaching collection.
- The gift will benefit LUAG by enabling expansion and enhancement of the galleries, improving exhibition spaces, acquiring new collections, and supporting faculty and student opportunities.
- Lehigh's growth in arts education is expected to be significantly boosted by this donation, potentially lead to national and international recognition as a leader in arts education and programming.
- The philanthropic endeavors of Woodcock extend beyond LUAG and Lehigh, as he has been involved in various nonprofit organizations such as the Washington National Cathedral, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
