The College has announced a new academic fund that is being supported by the generosity of an alumnus, Robert H. Walsh ’39 and ’66Hon. of West Grove, Pa., who has previously endowed a scholarship fund at his alma mater.

Established in March 2005, the Robert H. Walsh ’39 Academic Fund will provide grants to science faculty and science majors for academic enrichment outside the classroom, such as attending symposia, internships, and delivering research papers.

Walsh was a chemistry major at PC. He had a long and distinguished career as a leading executive for DuPont, where at one time he was in charge of the company’s marketing in Europe.

In addition to his gift to start the academic fund, Walsh has committed “a very significant” contribution to the College, according to Joseph P. Brum ’68, special assistant to the vice president for development projects. This estate gift will be used to endow a faculty chair and to provide additional financial support to the new academic fund and the existing Robert H. Walsh Scholarship Fund.

Established in 1995, the scholarship fund is awarded on the basis of need and merit to students majoring in chemistry. The fund has grown into one of the larger named scholarships at the College.

“Bob Walsh is a ‘visionary’ benefactor,” said Brum. “His very generous lifetime gifts and an extraordinary future estate gift will ensure that the sciences will always be a strong element of the PC curriculum.”

“His scholarship is already helping to recruit and assist outstanding students,” added Brum. “The endowments to be funded from his estate will help to recruit outstanding faculty, as well as to provide resources for academic enrichment outside of the classroom. Bob has set a wonderful example to inspire and motivate other potential benefactors and to encourage all of us in the PC community to strive for excellence in all we do.”