Globetrotting philanthropist Kathryn Wasserman Davis and her son Shelby Davis '58 donated $5 million to the International Center, which coordinates programs for international students on campus, the University announced yesterday.
The International Center will be renamed the Kathryn W. and Shelby Cullom Davis '30 International Center in honor of the donor and her late husband.
Office of Development spokesman Wendell Collins said in an email that the Davis family has long been a significant donor to the University. Shelby Cullom Davis funded the Davis Center for Historical Studies to encourage excellence in scholarship and teaching.
"Thanks to the Davis' generosity," Collins said, "the center now will be able to increase — and deepen — its offerings in assisting students and scholars from more than 80 nations, offering them programs ranging from English language tutoring and weekly luncheons with faculty members to introduction to 'host families.' "
Shelby Cullom Davis, the U.S. ambassador to Switzerland from 1969 to 1975, was also one of the co-founders of the Concerned Alumni of Princeton. The organization, which criticized, among other things, the admission of women and minorities to the University, received attention last year when then-Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito '72 was discovered to have been a member.
Kathryn graduated from Wellesley College in 1928 and received a Ph.D. from the University of Geneva in political science.
The younger Davis is a University Trustee and founder of the Davis United World College (UWC) Scholars Program. The program offers financial aid to students who come from the United World College's schools around the world. Eighty-seven Davis UWC Scholars currently attend Princeton. He also founded the money management firm, Davis Selected Advisors.
Megan Chiao '09, president of the International Students Association at Princeton (ISAP), said that the donation would benefit international students on campus.
Chiao was unsure how the endowment would specifically benefit ISAP but noted that the International Center has always been supportive.
Despite the support that ISAP receives from the International Center, "It's been a little difficult to find funding ... we've had to go to a lot of sources," Chiao said. She added that International Center Director Paula Chow serves as a mentor. Chow could not be reached for comment yesterday afternoon.
ISAP vice president Veda Sunassee '09 said that ISAP has organized a soccer tournament and an Alcohol Initiative event at Charter Club. He also noted that it was difficult to find money for events. He added that his goal was to make ISAP events annual occurrences.
Both Chiao and Sunassee noted that international students are without a meal plan on campus during long breaks, burdening those on financial aid. ISAP has hosted dinners for international students during breaks but want to make those meals a more regular occurrence.
"It's always been an issue with international students during spring break, so we've been happy to know that there would be ... more money," Chiao said.
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