SARASOTA, Fla., March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Ringling School of Art and Design recently received a seven-figure cash gift from benefactors Ann and Alfred Goldstein to be used to strengthen and expand current academic programs, and create new, innovative academic offerings for the College's 1,000+ students.
Ringling School President Dr. Larry R. Thompson made the announcement Friday, February 25, 2005, at a special ceremony on the School's campus attended by the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students, and community representatives. The College has received thousands of gifts since its founding in 1931, but the Goldstein gift is the first seven-figure cash donation the institution has received from a private donor in its near 74-year history.
Dr. Thompson outlined details of the gift, which, he said, "set a new standard of philanthropy" at the College. The unique contribution is designated toward the School's endowment.
Since the fall of 2003, the School and its faculty have been involved in a process to examine the College's curriculum and to determine how it might be expanded to meet the needs of current and potential students. At the February Board of Trustees meeting, four new concentrations and minors were approved: 1) the Business of Art and Design; 2) Visual Development; 3) Game Art and Design; and 4) Digital Film. All but Digital Film will begin in the fall of 2005.
The Goldstein gift is designed to provide research and development funding for these new programs, beginning with the Business of Art and Design.
In recognition of this contribution, the School's newest building has been named the Ann and Alfred Goldstein Center.
Speaking on behalf of his wife and himself, Goldstein commented on their reasons for establishing this monumental endowment at Ringling School of Art and Design:
"Ann and I are passionate about the value of a private, college education. Our gift will provide the impetus to expand Ringling School's academic program offerings, and will help provide the opportunity of an exceptional education for many young people. We are pleased to be able to give back to Sarasota to enhance its cultural richness. We hope this gift acts as a catalyst for continued academic innovation at the College for years to come and will inspire others to make significant investments in arts education. We did it for the School, its students, for the arts, and for the greater community."
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