Fall 2010 was the Season of Philanthropy at Franklin College

John R. Taylor

The College was the recipient of several very generous gift commitments during the autumn season, all of which were announced at the November 12 meeting of the Board of Trustees.  Mr. John R. Taylor, pledged $1M to Franklin in support of the new Taylor Institute for Global Enterprise Management, a graduate degree granting program which will emphasize international management.  He also pledged to match an additional $1.5M that the College raises from other donors over the next three years.  Mr. Taylor, a longtime member of the Board of Trustees of Franklin and its former Chairman, is Chairman, CEO and founder of FX Concepts, the world’s leading foreign exchange investment firm.   Mr. Taylor has been an enthusiastic supporter of the project to offer graduate studies in Management at Franklin since this idea was incorporated in the College strategic plan in 2006. His gift guarantees funding for the Taylor Institute sufficient to permit a measured, evolutionary development of research and teaching programs over the course of 3-5 years.

Paul C. and Ursula G. Lowerre

In enthusiastic support of Mr. Taylor’s remarkable gift and challenge for a match, two other board members, themselves generous donors, made commitments of financial support during the November meeting.  Outgoing Board Chair, Paul C. Lowerre, ’77, along with his wife, Ursula G. Lowerre, ’76, pledged $125,000 toward the Taylor Institute challenge, as well as $125,000 over the next five years to the Franklin Fund, the College’s annual source of unrestricted support.  Mr. Lowerre is Senior Vice President at UBS Financial Services in New York. The Lowerre’s have served the College since their graduation from Franklin in many volunteer leadership positions.  Mrs. Lowerre was instrumental in originating many Franklin initiatives, including the Alumni Council, on which she continues to serve.

Pascal F. Tone

Mr. Pascal F. Tone similarly made a commitment of $225,000, of which $25,000 will go to the Franklin Fund over the next five years and $200,000 will be contributed toward the Taylor Institute project.  Mr. Tone, one of the founders of Franklin College, is a longtime member of the Board and was elected its Chairman at the November meeting in New York City.  The Tone Athletic Center on campus is named for him in honor of his gifts in support of student recreation and exercise, one of his many interests.  Mr. Tone is Vice President of Wealth Management at Neuberger Berman in New York.