ADVANCING THE MISSION
Transformational Gifts to Stevenson
STEVENSON RECEIVES $ 300K GIFT FROM THE FRANCE-MERRICK FOUNDATION
Stevenson University is pleased to announce that it has received a $ 300,000 gift from the France-Merrick Foundation to support construction of the new Philip A . Zaffere Library . Named in honor of the late Eastern Shore entrepreneur Philip A . Zaffere , the Library is now under construction and is slated to open in Fall 2023 .
“ The Stevenson community is very grateful for this gift from the France-Merrick Foundation ,” said Elliot Hirshman , President of Stevenson University . “ The Foundation has been a strong and loyal supporter of Stevenson and given more than $ 1.6 million to the university over the past four decades .”
“ The France-Merrick Foundation is proud to support the construction of the new Philip A . Zaffere Library ,” said Amy Gross , Executive Director of the France-Merrick Foundation . “ This builds upon our long relationship with Stevenson University and provides Stevenson with the tools to continue creating a strong academic experience for students .”
Formed in 1998 from the merger of the Jacob and Annita France Foundation and the Robert G . and Anne M . Merrick Foundation , the France-Merrick Foundation concentrates its grant making with a primary focus on the Greater Baltimore area . Today with an annual grant budget of approximately $ 10M , the France-Merrick Foundation is one of Baltimore ’ s largest private foundations .
Stevenson ’ s new 42,000-square-foot Zaffere Library will complement the existing Manning Academic Center and School of Design buildings at Owings Mills North to form the academic hub of the university ’ s Owings Mills campus . The Library will feature space to facilitate student and faculty collaboration , research , and scholarship ; host social and cultural events ; and house faculty and administrative offices .
21 | VENTURES / SUMMER-FALL 2022