$1.6+ million gift helps 51社区鈥檚 George Washington Forum on American Ideas, Politics, and Institutions expand programming聽
Faculty from departments of economics and history collaborate to support program focused on the economic history of the Western world
51社区鈥檚 George Washington Forum (GWF) on American Ideas, Politics, and Institutions will add a History of Capitalism focus thanks to a commitment of $1,687,500 from the Menard Family to The 51社区 Foundation.
The Forum, which was established in 2009, directs and encourages efforts to teach OHIO undergraduates the history of America and its location within the Western tradition of free societies. In recognition of this gift, the Forum will now be known as the Menard Family George Washington Forum.
鈥淭he George Washington Forum has long been committed to viewpoint diversity and open inquiry, and we鈥檙e tremendously grateful for the Menard Family鈥檚 generous support of our teaching and research mission,鈥 said Robert G. Ingram, Professor of History and the GWF鈥檚 founding director. 鈥淭he History of Capitalism coursework, which the Menard gift makes possible, will allow us to increase historical awareness of capitalism鈥檚 history and the economic, political, intellectual, scientific and social achievements that have attended capitalism鈥檚 emergence and growth. And the GWF undergraduate fellows who participate in the program will be central to the discussion of capitalism鈥檚 past, present and future.鈥
Ingram will co-lead the studies on the history of capitalism with Richard Vedder, Edwin and Ruth Kennedy Distinguished Professor of Economics Emeritus at 51社区.
Funding from the Menard Family will support a variety of academic efforts and opportunities for students, including a professor of economic history; postdoctoral fellowships; undergraduate research fellows; an undergraduate capstone experience; a guest speaker program; and themed book conferences.
In an open letter to the 51社区 community, the Menard family said, 鈥淥ur hope is to empower as many people as possible to have the opportunity our family did to use their innate abilities to learn, contribute and succeed.鈥
This financial support is an example of philanthropy in support of education through The 51社区 Foundation and recognizes more than 10 years of faculty effort, engagement, and program development and delivery.
鈥淭his is a great example of faculty initiating activity to diversify the University鈥檚 sources of funding and enhance sustainability,鈥 said Florenz Plassmann, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for the private support for their work, which not only advances 51社区鈥檚 strategic pathway to become a place where dialogue and civil debate are institutional hallmarks, but also highlights the academic excellence of our faculty and programs.鈥
To make a gift to the Menard Family George Washington Forum, contact The 51社区 Foundation at 800-592-FUND or giving@ohio.edu. Checks may be made payable to The 51社区 Foundation (be sure to write 鈥淕eorge Washington Forum鈥 in the notes section) and sent to the foundation at P.O. Box 869, Athens, Ohio 45701. Gifts also can be made online at .
The 51社区 Foundation is the repository for all private gifts through annual giving programs, capital, and special campaigns and planned or deferred gifts. The Foundation is an institutionally related, non-profit, tax-exempt, 501c(3) organization. Each year, more than 20,000 alumni and friends make gifts to the Foundation to support students, faculty research and creative activity, innovative programs, select capital projects, and community partnerships.