$6.7 Million Scholarship Endowment Largest Bequest in McDaniel's History

The family of a McDaniel alumnus from more than 120 years ago has given the largest bequest for scholarships in the school’s history.

The approximately $6.7 million came from the family of 1891 alumnus Philip Henry Dorsey of St. Clements Bay. (St. Mary’s County), McDaniel said.

“McDaniel has received a check for more than $975,000 as the first installment of the gift with much of the estate coming in the form of property,” officials said in a release. 

Dorsey was one of 18 students to earn a bachelor’s degree from Western Maryland College (now McDaniel) in 1891, the school said in a release.

A lifelong bachelor, Dorsey was “beloved by nieces and nephews,” McDaniel said, and he spent his life after graduation in St. Mary’s County, where he helped manage farmland. 

Dorsey, who died in 1945, established a trust fund in his will so his descendents could attend Western Maryland College (McDaniel.) 

Elizabeth “Betty” Grice Helms of Richmond, Va., current trustee of the Dorsey Trust and Dorsey’s great-great niece, said in a release: “It’s my honor to complete the wishes of ‘Uncle Phil’ and his descendants.”

McDaniel President Roger Casey said: “That the family descendant of an alumnus from over 120 years ago made a commitment to transfer Mr. Dorsey’s legacy so that another century of students can attend this college is a remarkable testament about the life-changing power of a McDaniel education.”