ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena has received a $16.9 million gift from the late Trustee Chair Emeritus Judy Webb, boosting the school’s endowment past $100 million, it was announced Thursday.
The donation will support the Martha Marsh Chandler Endowed Scholarship, established by Webb’s mother, according to officials.
Webb, who passed away last year at age 85, served on the school’s board of trustees for nearly three decades and was the first woman to serve as board chair. Her total giving to the college now exceeds $24 million, officials said.
“The significance of Judy’s gift cannot be overstated,” ArtCenter President Karen Hofmann said in a statement. “It strengthens ArtCenter’s endowment and sets an inspiring example of philanthropy.”
The scholarship fund, created in 1988, has already helped about 500 students attend ArtCenter, officials said. It was designed to support students with financial need and strong creative potential.
Webb and her mother were longtime members of ArtCenter100, a philanthropic group founded in 1986 to support scholarships and encourage excellence in design.
“Judy’s decision to support the Martha Marsh Chandler Endowed Scholarship aligned with her deep understanding of ArtCenter’s mission and needs, which she gained during her decades-long involvement with the institution,” said Melanie Burzynski, ArtCenter’s senior vice president of advancement.
Webb, granddaughter of Los Angeles Times publisher Harry Chandler, led the real estate firm Lothrop Ventures. She was also deeply involved in civic life, serving on boards for institutions including UC Berkeley and the San Francisco Symphony.
ArtCenter College of Design was founded in 1930, offering degrees in industrial design, visual arts and applied arts.