John Carroll alumnus pledges $16 million to fund scholarships

John Carroll University alumnus Frank Schilling and his wife, Helen, have pledged a total of $16 million to endow scholarships for undergraduate students at the university. The Schillings had previously agreed to give $10 million to create the Schilling Endowed Scholars Program in 2004, but they now have increased their gift to $16 million. Rev. Robert L. Niehoff, president of John Carroll University, made the announcement at the university’s 125th Anniversary Gala, held Dec. 2. The gala capped a year-long celebration of John Carroll’s history and Jesuit educational tradition (see www.jcu.edu/125).

“The Schillings are among our most generous benefactors and the additional funding will be transformational for John Carroll University,” said Father Niehoff.  “Their generosity has given—and will continue to give—the best students the opportunity to earn a John Carroll degree and make a positive difference in the world.” Currently, there are three Schilling scholars enrolled at John Carroll. The Schillings’ endowment will eventually fund more than 20 scholarships each year, which are renewable with continued academic achievement.

Schilling, a native of Newark, Ohio, is a member of John Carroll’s Class of 1953. He served in the Korean War, and had a successful career at General Electric.

The Schillings reflected on the impact of their commitment to the university: “This is an investment in an institution we strongly believe in, and it will help the university recruit the very best students. We expect the scholarship recipients to understand that they, too, have an obligation to continue the tradition of giving in support of education.” All scholarship recipients will be asked to contribute to the fund after their graduation, to the best of their ability, so that the program continues to grow.

John Carroll University, founded in 1886 as Saint Ignatius College, is located in University Heights. The university was renamed in 1923 to honor America’s first Catholic bishop, John Carroll of Maryland. Its Jesuit Catholic mission inspires individuals to excel in learning, leadership, and service in the region and the world. John Carroll University is recognized nationally for an exceptional four-year graduation rate, teaching excellence, and a commitment to living a faith that does justice to its mission. John Carroll is one of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States.