A 1958 graduate of Hartford’s Trinity College, who went on to become an influential marketing and advertising executive, has gifted the school $4 million for its Human Rights program.
The gift from Everett “Ev” Elting Jr. comes about 20 years after he donated $500,000 to create the program, which incorporates the study of human rights into Trinity’s curriculum.
Trinity said the gift will be used to enhance the program, which is unique among liberal arts institutions.
“Ev’s transformational gift will markedly boost Trinity’s impact as a leader of undergraduate human rights education. Students across the academic spectrum will deepen their appreciation of human rights and global citizenship in their lives,” said Trinity Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs Sonia Cardenas, in a statement. “They’ll experience unparalleled learning opportunities in this tremendously important field. The Elting Fund for Human Rights and Global Citizenship eventually will support a professorship, as well.”
During the 2021-22 academic year, the university said 180 students were enrolled in the program’s courses.
Elting, according to the university, invested both time, money and philanthropy to human rights causes during his professional career. Elting eventually became president and CEO of Grey Advertising in Canada.
