9/22/99
CONTACT: Colleen Carow Girton, (740)597-2987
ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University has received a $100,000 gift from the estate of A. Robert Kent, formerly a prominent Upper Arlington Realtor. The gift will be used to endow the Mary Jo and A. Robert Kent Scholarship in the College of Communication.
"Mr. Kent's gift is a lasting legacy that will increase significantly scholarship support for students in the College of Communication, filling a real need and helping the college continue to attract diverse, top-notch students," said Kathy Krendl, dean of the college.
Kent received a bachelor's degree in 1933 from the Ohio University College of Business and was a real estate agent in northwest Columbus for more than 45 years. He and his wife, Mary Jo Kent, developed one of the largest agencies in the area through innovative advertising and personal flair.
Kent died in April at age 87.
Other charitable gifts recently received by Ohio University include:
* $101,000 from Marc Brutten and Yolanda Molnar, a 1945 alumna, for the Yolanda Molnar Dance Scholarship in the College of Fine Arts.
*$150,000 from the estate of Martha Foster Harmon, a 1934 alumna, for the Harry Z. and Grace R. Foster Memorial Scholarship.
*$200,000 from the estate of Helen Coast Hayes, a 1926 alumna, for the Libraries and for the Costa Lectureship in History and the Latin American Studies program in the College of Arts and Sciences.
*$167,000 from the estate of Nadine Jennings for the Nadine Jennings Scholarship.
All charitable gifts to Ohio University are managed by The Ohio University Foundation, the fund-raising arm of the university. During fiscal year 1998, more than $25 million was raised in total private contributions from more than 25,000 donors.
The Ohio University endowment, which currently stands at $192 million, is expected to provide the university with more than $7.75 million in academic, instructional and scholarship support this fiscal year.
The Ohio University Foundation, which is governed by a 49-member volunteer board, is an institutionally related, non-profit, tax-exempt, 501c(3) organization.