Arts Council Receives Anonymous Gift For Harold Waxwood Scholarship Fund

Matthew Hersh

The Arts Council of Princeton received a surprise anonymous contribution of $50,000 last week that will help to fund an endowment enabling underprivileged children to take part in the Arts Council's varied programming.

While opening mail last week, Program Director Janet Stern discovered the donation enclosed with a letter outlining the contribution's purpose.

Events coordinator Randi Lund said the donation was provided with a stipulation that the money be used to fund the Howard B. Waxwood Jr. Scholarship Fund.

Scholarships are offered on a need basis, providing arts education to children who cannot necessarily afford it. Another fund goal is to serve as a supplement to public school programs that Arts Council representatives have said are "often underfunded."

"We will now be able to give scholarships to many more children," said Ms. Stern, adding that the donation will allow the Arts Council to serve a larger number of "otherwise underserved individuals."

Appropriation of contribution monies will be staggered, according to Ms. Lund. Of the $50,000, $10,000 will be available immediately with the remainder placed in an interest-generating fund for future scholarships.

The Howard B. Waxwood Scholarship Fund is named for the beloved principal of the Witherspoon School, Princeton's first integrated school on Quarry Street. Mr. Waxwood was the principal from 1936 to 1948 ‹ the year Princeton schools were desegregated.