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CIC PRESIDENTS PRESENT 2008 AWARDS
DURING ANNUAL CONFERENCE

WASHINGTON, DC — The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) announced the recipients of its 2008 annual awards. Stephen Joel Trachtenberg received the Allen P. Splete Outstanding Service Award and CIC’s Awards for Philanthropy were presented to H.F. and Marguerite Lenfest and the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, Inc. In addition, CIC honored its executive vice president, Russell Garth, for 20 years of distinguished service.

Jeanne Neff, president of The Sage Colleges (NY) and chair of the CIC Board of Directors, Richard Ekman, president of CIC, and Joseph J. McGowan, president of Bellarmine University (KY) presented the awards during the annual Presidents Institute, held at the Marco Island Marriott in Florida on Sunday, January 6.

In presenting the awards, Neff said, “These awards are an important way for CIC presidents to thank, recognize, and pay tribute to individuals and organizations that are devoted in their support of private colleges and universities. CIC is extremely pleased to have the opportunity to recognize three extraordinary contributors—the Lenfests for their volunteer service and charitable giving to independent higher education; the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation for awarding substantial gifts to numerous CIC member colleges in several southern states; and Stephen Joel Trachtenberg in recognition of his national leadership, through ideas and commitment, to private colleges and universities.”

The Allen P. Splete Award for Outstanding Service, named in honor of CIC’s president emeritus who served from 1986 to 2000, recognizes significant contributions to independent higher education. In presenting the award, President McGowan said, “Steve Trachtenberg sets a distinguished example for all college presidents. He became president of George Washington University in 1988 after serving for 11 years as president of the University of Hartford. Now, as President Emeritus of George Washington University, he leaves an extraordinary legacy. During his presidency, Trachtenberg increased the university’s endowment from $200 million to $1 billion, and he oversaw the creation and renovation of nearly a dozen GW campus buildings. CIC honors Steve Trachtenberg for his record of accomplishment, for widely sharing his wisdom, and particularly for cultivating future leaders in higher education. Without reservation, he has helped hundreds of aspiring administrators and future college leaders. He has mentored scores of outstanding executives who have gone on to become college presidents, many at CIC member colleges and universities.”

The 2008 Award for Individual Philanthropy, presented to H.F. and Marguerite Lenfest, celebrates an individual, or individuals, who demonstrate the love of humankind through consequential giving and who provide an example of the philanthropic spirit. CIC recognizes through its award the Lenfests’ extraordinary record of giving to independent higher education, particularly their service and gifts to Wilson College, Washington and Lee University, and Ursinus College. The Lenfests contributed more than $37 million dollars to Wilson College over the past decade. Their gifts went to unrestricted endowment, the Women with Children Program, the Lenfest Student Commons, and the college’s new Science, Math, and Technology Complex. At Washington and Lee University, Gerry Lenfest was the chair of a campaign that raised more than $240 million dollars. The Lenfests have also provided Washington and Lee with a $33 million dollar challenge grant to enhance faculty compensation. And at Ursinus College, the Lenfests provided $5 million toward the performing arts center named in their honor.

The Award for Philanthropy by an Organization celebrates a foundation or corporation whose support to private colleges and universities or to CIC has demonstrated leadership and vision and has, consequently, made a significant difference in the vitality of independent higher education. The winner of the 2008 award is the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation is a memorial to Lettie Pate, who was married to Joseph Brown Whitehead, an attorney and entrepreneur. The Whiteheads were business, church, and civic leaders in Atlanta after the turn of the 20th century. The Foundation is dedicated to Mrs. Whitehead’s philanthropic vision and supports her commitment to women’s causes. In commenting on the award, CIC President Richard Ekman said, “The Foundation provides grants to schools and colleges for deserving female students, particularly in nursing, special education, and medical technology programs. The depth and breadth of grants have been substantial, benefiting numerous CIC colleges across nine states, deeply touching the lives of countless female students, and promoting high quality education.” During 2006, the Foundation awarded more than $21 million dollars, including awards made to 79 CIC member colleges in nine states.

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The Council of Independent Colleges is an association of more than 580 independent liberal arts colleges and universities and higher education affiliates and organizations that work together to strengthen college and university leadership, sustain high-quality education, and enhance private higher education’s contributions to society. To fulfill this mission, CIC provides its members with skills, tools, and knowledge that address aspects of leadership, financial management and performance, academic quality, and institutional visibility. The Council is headquartered at One Dupont Circle in Washington, DC.

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