Tiffany Estate gives $385,000 for scholarships at Fort Lewis College

The George Oliver Tiffany Estate has given $385,000 to Fort Lewis College (FLC) for scholarships. The money will go into an endowed fund—the George Oliver Tiffany Endowment—meaning that scholarships can be drawn from the fund in perpetuity. The first scholarships will be awarded in 2017.

“Mr. Tiffany clearly appreciated the role and mission of Fort Lewis College and understood the challenges that our students face in pursuing their dreams. His compassion and passion will impact countless lives at FLC, and for that we are grateful,” says Dene Thomas, president at Fort Lewis College.

Any FLC student with a financial need and a strong academic standing are eligible for the scholarship. This past school year, 63 percent of Fort Lewis College students needed financial assistance to attend school, and 34 percent received the Federal Pell Grant, which is reserved for students with the greatest financial need.

The Tiffany Endowment also includes consideration for student-athletes like Skyhawk softball player, Missy Fundora (Psychology, ‘16), a two-time Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Academic Player of the Year, FLC career leader in hits and doubles, and a nominee for the 2016 NCAA Woman of the Year.

“I received athletic and academic scholarships while at Fort Lewis College, which meant that I had to keep my focus on what was important,” says Missy. “I had less free time than many students due to my sport, but I would not trade it for anything.

“I did not want to take my scholarships for granted, so I worked especially hard to keep my grades up and be the best athlete I can be. College scholarships were a huge motivator for me and I was blessed to receive them.”

Mr. Tiffany and his wife, Mayme Quinn, spent their formative years in the Four Corners.  The couple married in 1926 after which they left the area. He established a successful career as an attorney in Illinois and Connecticut.

The FLC Foundation, Inc., founded in 1969, provides scholarships, philanthropic funding for capital construction and improvements, and funds that develop and enhance the Fort Lewis College experience for students, faculty, staff and the region.