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.-30- Back To News Releases
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