A List
12/20/99

HALE SCHOLARS PROGRAM AT SLU TO BENEFIT NORTH STUDENTS

CANTON -- A family with historical ties to both St. Lawrence University 
and Canton is donating $1.5 million to the University to establish a 
scholarship program to benefit North Country students.
	Ledyard P. Hale II and his wife, Virginia P. Hale, of Newport 
Coast, California, are making the gift to establish the Ledyard P. Hale II 
and Virginia P. Hale Scholars Program, to be awarded to students on the 
basis of financial need, with preference given first to qualified students 
from Canton; then from St. Lawrence County; then from Franklin, Lewis, 
Jefferson and Clinton Counties. The program is designed to support at least 
one Hale Scholar in each of the four classes at St. Lawrence.
	"Although I have lived in California for the past 51 years, I 
still think of Canton as my hometown," Hale said. "Sixty years ago, after 
I had graduated from Canton High School, my family did not have enough 
money to pay the tuition at St. Lawrence. If it had not been for some 
scholarship help, I never could have matriculated and become a third-generation 
Laurentian. The last couple of decades have been financially good for us. 
Therefore, my wife Ginny and I have decided to fund the Hale Scholars 
Program to show our appreciation for the help I received those 60 years 
ago."
	Hale is a member of the Class of 1943 at St. Lawrence, and a native 
of Canton. He is retired as the co-founder of R.S. Hughes, an industrial 
distribution company. Hale's grandfather, Ledyard P. Hale, graduated from 
St. Lawrence in 1876 and was County Judge and St. Lawrence County District 
Attorney. Additionally, he was a St. Lawrence University trustee from 1882 
to 1926 and served as chairman of the Board of Trustees from 1919 to 1923; 
Hale received an honorary degree from St. Lawrence in 1912. His home in 
Canton, at 53 Park Street, is now the Kappa Delta Sigma sorority house.
	Hale II's grandmother, Georgettie Bacheller Hale, also attended 
St. Lawrence and was the daughter of Charles and Amelia Brownell Bacheller; 
she was the cousin of one of the University's most distinguished graduates, 
author Irving Bacheller. She was also a charter member of Kappa Kappa Gamma 
sorority.
	"The Hales' gift will allow strong North Country students to achieve 
a great education and move on to have an impact in the world," St. Lawrence 
University President Daniel F. Sullivan commented. "We are deeply moved by 
their thoughtfulness, generosity and commitment to St. Lawrence, and thank 
them very warmly for this tremendous gift."
	President Sullivan made the announcement of the gift at a reception 
held December 19 for North Country friends and neighbors that celebrated 
outstanding Canton Laurentians. St. Lawrence alumni who grew up in Canton 
and went on to achieve importance through their work at home and elsewhere 
were recognized at the event; among them was Georgettie Bacheller Hale.
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