Saintofme

College of Charleston Receives Largest Gift in its History



The College of Charleston announced today that businessman Guy E. Beatty, Jr., will give $60 million dollars to the College of Charleston as part of an estate trust. This gift is the largest single donation to a South Carolina public institution of higher education.

Under the agreement, the College of Charleston will receive $2 million a year for 30 years from a trust Mr. Beatty set up in his estate. Beatty has requested that $1 million per year be used for scholarships and $1 million a year for buildings and infrastructure.

“This incredibly generous gift from Guy Beatty will permit our faculty to develop the kinds of scholarships and programs they once could only dream about,” said College of Charleston President George Benson. “In addition, we expect the gift to be a catalyst for a new era in private fundraising for the College. The primary beneficiaries, however, will be the generations of students who will live and learn at a strengthened College of Charleston.”

Mr. Beatty has had a long relationship with the College of Charleston. He serves as a member of the School of Business and Economics Board of Governors. He donated $2 million to create the College’s Beatty Center, home of the School of Business and Economics. He also established the Guy Beatty Scholarship Fund, providing $75,000 a year to School of Business and Economics majors.

“You will never appreciate your wealth until you learn how to give it away,” said Guy Beatty.

Mr. Beatty founded his commercial real estate development firm, Beatty Companies, in McLean, Va., more than 45 years ago. His son, John Beatty, serves as President.

The College of Charleston is a public liberal arts and sciences university located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina. Founded in 1770, the College is among the nation’s top universities for quality education, student life and affordability. With more than 11,000 students, the College of Charleston offers the distinctive combination of a beautiful and historic campus, modern facilities and cutting-edge programs.