Salem College Receives $5M Gift Toward Health Leadership Transition

Salem College has received a $5 million gift toward its transition to a Health Leadership curriculum. This is the largest donation in the school's 250-year history.

Salem College officials say the gift was designated specifically to boost the school's new focus on training women for leadership roles in health-related fields.

The donor wishes to remain anonymous and is not an alumna, but said the gift was made in honor of Lucy Rose, a 1976 Salem College graduate who is now a driving force behind the transition.

Rose, who also serves as a vice-chair on the school's Board of Trustees, said in a news release that she is “humbled and profoundly grateful” for the donor's belief in the school's future as a training ground for the health ecosystem.

Salem College will debut three new health-oriented majors this fall, and plans additional programming over the next three years and beyond.

The $5 million gift will be made in phases, with the first allocation this spring.