On the 50th anniversary of his graduation from
Union College, former ABC television executive Philip Beuth has pledged a $2
million gift to the College to support Beuth House, one of seven houses in
Union's new Minerva System.
“Union College
has had a significant impact on my life,” Beuth said. “When I couldn't afford
tuition, I was awarded a Bailey Scholarship. I
am very fortunate, and hope that my gifts will encourage others to give back as
well.”
This gift will fund the renovation of the former Psi Upsilon
fraternity house near the center of campus. Beuth House will open this fall as
one of seven social and academic hubs on the Union campus, part of the new
Minerva House system. Every Union student and faculty member will be assigned
to one of seven Minerva Houses, which will provide a place for living, attending
class, or interaction with other students and faculty.
“We are deeply appreciative to Phil for his continued
generosity to Union,” said Union College President Roger
H. Hull. “As the college embarks upon an exciting and unique system to
transform and meld our students' intellectual and social lives, we are
particularly grateful to Phil Beuth for his support.”
Beuth, who lives in Naples, Fla.,
with his wife Mary, retired in 1995 as president of CapCities/ABC's “Good
Morning America.” He is a member of the board of the Guadalupe
Center in Imokalee,
Fla., a daycare center for the children of
migrant workers. Beuth is also on the board of the Broadcasters' Foundation. He
and Mary operate a small resort on St. Maarten in the Caribbean
as well.
Beuth began his career in 1952 as a page for WRGB in Schenectady
and later was the first Capital Cities employee at WTEN in Albany.
As a senior at Union in 1954, he was president of the
Psi Upsilon fraternity on campus.
In 1996, Beuth donated $1 million to the College to support
the expansion and renovation of Schaffer Library.