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Benefactor who gave $100M to Rowan University has died

Published  December 10, 2015 5:37pm EST
U.S.
FOX 29 Philadelphia

GLASSBORO, N.J. (AP) -- Henry Rowan, whose 1992 gift of $100 million to what is now Rowan University was the largest ever to a public institution of higher education, has died.

Rowan University spokesman Joe Cardona said Thursday Rowan died Wednesday at an assisted living facility in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He was 92.

Rowan and his wife, Betty Long Rowan, donated $100 million to what was then known as Glassboro State College.

The donation helped the college grow from a small school with fewer than 10,000 students to the state's second comprehensive public research university, with five campuses, more than 11 colleges and 16,100 students.

The gift also helped grow the school's assets from $787,000 to more than $177 million.

Rowan University President Ali Houshmand says the school has lost a "champion of innovation and philanthropy."