Boston College Receives $75M Gift From Robsham Estate

NEWTON, MA — Boston College has received an estimated $75 million gift from the estate of Joyce and Paul Robsham, M.Ed.’83, the largest estate gift in the university's history.

The gift will provide funding for a range of BC's priorities, including student scholarships, academic programming, facilities improvement, and operation of the Robsham Theater Arts Center, which was named in honor of the Robshams' son, Paul Robsham, Jr., a member of the Boston College class of 1986 who died in a car accident after his freshman year.

“Paul and Joyce Robsham have left a lasting legacy at Boston College,” said BC President Fr. William Leahy in a statement. “I am grateful for their generosity over the years and its impact on generations of BC students.”

The $75 million gift builds upon the Robshams’ previous contributions to the Robsham Theater and other university initiatives. Before Paul passed away in 2004, he stated his wish that BC be the major beneficiary of the couple’s estate, and following his death, BC leaders worked together to identify the areas most meaningful to the Robshams, including psychology, theater, and student life.

According to BC, one of the Robshams' key priorities was to expand financial aid and they now provide financial aid for nearly 25 students each year. The funds from their estate will establish new undergraduate scholarships for students studying the performing arts and graduate fellowships for those pursuing counseling or school psychology.

"Whatever assistance they could provide, they wanted to make sure it made the biggest impact possible for BC students, said Robsham Estate Trustee Jack Downs in a statement. “As we see their vision come to fruition, I know they would be deeply satisfied.”

The Robshams' were high school sweethearts who became prominent business owners in real estate and thoroughbred racing. Paul had originally enrolled in a graduate program at BC in the early 1950s, but withdrew when he was called to serve in the Korean War. Thirty years later, he returned to Boston College to complete his master’s degree and later served multiple terms as a University Trustee.

“Paul and Joyce were true believers in the Boston College mission—they cared deeply for BC students and always kept their needs uppermost in their minds,” said Vice President for University Advancement Jim Husson in a statement. “Through their visionary gift, they will not only improve the student experience but also strengthen the University for years to come.”