Salem College receives $5 million gift from anonymous alumna

The donation equals the largest gift in the school’s history. Funds will be used to support women studying to become leaders in health fields.

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Salem College will welcome 179 new, full-time students to campus this fall.

Photo by Salem College.

$5 million. That’s how much Salem College has received in what it’s calling a “transformative” gift from an anonymous alumna. It’s the second $5 million dollar donation the school has received in less than three years.

According to Salem Academy and College’s president, the money will be used to fund scholarships, as well as new academic and personnel initiatives. Those will all support its focus on being the only liberal arts college in the US focused on health leadership.

That initiative has been underway since early 2021. The college has revised existing programs and added eight new academic majors, minors and Masters programs to support the goal. There are currently more than 75 courses at Salem with a direct focus on health.

Salem Academy and College has operated for 252 years, making it the oldest educational institution for girls and women in the country. Leaders say the health leadership focus will ensure all students graduate with an understanding of how to make the world a healthier place and elevate women’s role in solving health challenges.

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