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 had a significant impact on my life, and was there with Bailey scholarships when I could not afford tuition anywhere,” he said. “I was very fortunate, and I 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 also operate a small resort on St. Maarten in the Caribbean.
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.