President JoAnne Boyle announced that Seton Hill University has received a $3.5 million bequest from the estate of Carol Ann Reichgut, a 1956 graduate of the University. The bequest, the largest ever received by Seton Hill, will be used to create an endowed scholarship fund for minority students.

The gift brings Seton Hill’s current Achieving the Dream: Endowment and Capital Campaign to almost $80 million and will create The Carol Reichgut ’56 Scholarship Endowment for Minority Students.

“Carol Reichgut was a cherished and dedicated friend to her alma mater for 53 years. Generations of Seton Hill University students will be supported by her extraordinary gift. The magnitude of this bequest underscores how private gifts and grants help colleges in the independent sector provide superior educational opportunities to students of modest means,” said JoAnne Boyle.

The Carol Reichgut ’56 Scholarship Endowment for Minority Students will provide scholarship support to students with financial need and academic merit.

As a tribute to Carol Reichgut’s lifetime commitment to Seton Hill, the University will name the concert hall in the Performing Arts Center in downtown Greensburg, Pa., in Reichgut’s honor. “It is fitting to honor Carol in this way because she spent her life teaching music to elementary school children. She taught every instrument. Carol also delighted in telling and retelling stories of her time at Seton Hill. She credited Sister Miriam David Volker, SC, her music instructor, Mother Victoria Brown, SC, and Mother Claudia Glenn, SC, for having a profound effect on her life and career. Carol provided over $50,000 in scholarships each year so that students would be able to experience an exceptional education at her alma mater, and she has continued that generous support through her estate. She is a beloved alumna who is dearly missed and to whom we will be forever grateful,” said Christine Mueseler, Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Marketing.

Reichgut graduated from Seton Hill in 1956 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education. She earned the Master of Arts degree in music from Columbia University in 1963. Reichgut worked as a music teacher for 35 years in Maryland’s Montgomery County School system. In 2001, Seton Hill honored Reichgut with the Distinguished Alumna Leadership Award in recognition of her efforts to provide Seton Hill students with scholarship opportunities. She supported the University with leadership gifts for scholarships for minority students each year.

A recipient of one of Carol Reichgut’s scholarships at Seton Hill wrote, “I just want to thank you for supporting someone’s education. Since I was a little girl I wanted to go to college, knowing deep down that it would take me places. When I received my acceptance letter to Seton Hill it was one of the happiest days of my life. I was achieving one of my goals. This letter is to let you know that everything you’ve done is appreciated. Thank you for playing such an important role in keeping my dream flowing.”

JoAnne Boyle added, “Carol remains a gift to Seton Hill. The lives of so many have been touched by what she has done and what she will continue to do through her legacy.”