Middlebury College to be national headquarters for Davis United World College Scholars Program
MIDDLEBURY, Vt.-The Davis United World College Scholars Program will establish its headquarters at Middlebury College effective July 1. The program provides scholarship grants to select American colleges and universities in support of students from all over the world who have completed their pre-university studies at United World College schools (UWC). UWC schools are located in the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Norway, Singapore, Swaziland, the United Kingdom and Venezuela.
Together with his wife, Gale, philanthropist Shelby M.C. Davis has funded the growing Davis UWC Scholars Program since it began in 2000 with five colleges: Middlebury, Colby, College of the Atlantic, Princeton and Wellesley. A member of an international family, Davis made his fortune building the mutual fund business Davis Advisors. He will donate $20 million dollars to Middlebury to establish the program headquarters and support the financial needs of Middlebury’s UWC students, who number approximately 80 this year.
“For Middlebury to have been selected as the home of an important international scholarship program is a distinct honor,” said Middlebury College President Ronald D. Liebowitz. “Through the generosity of Shelby and Gale Davis, the Davis UWC Scholars Program will support thousands of the world’s most promising students at some of America’s most distinguished colleges and universities. The program is a good fit for Middlebury where international education is one of our strongest areas.”
Commenting on Middlebury’s selection as the home for the program, Davis said, “Gale and I are excited about this enhanced and special partnership with Middlebury. We believe that our common objectives will make a significant contribution to international understanding through education worldwide.”
In consultation with the Davises, Liebowitz has appointed Philip O. Geier to serve as executive director of the program effective July 1. The recipient of two Fulbright awards, Geier has had a distinguished career in international education and is presently concluding 12 years as president of United World Colleges-USA.
“This is a welcome opportunity to harness the vision and power of private philanthropy in order to foster greater understanding among future world leaders in the making,” said Geier. He will also serve as a special advisor to Liebowitz on broader matters related to international education.
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