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Tacoma colleges will benefit from late centenarian’s $10 million surprise donation

By Allison Needles, The News Tribune
Published: December 13, 2019, 7:49pm

TACOMA — Colleges across Western Washington, including four in Pierce County, will benefit from a $10 million donation from a late 101-year-old woman.

Eva Gordon, a Seattle resident who passed away in June 2018, left the donation to 17 colleges.

“The gift is one of the largest to community and technical colleges in Washington, with each college foundation receiving approximately $550,000,” according to a press release from Seattle Colleges Foundation.

Tacoma Community College, Bates Technical College, Clover Park Technical College and the Pierce College Foundation received donations.

“Ms. Gordon’s gift will provide many students a pathway to a college education,” said Ivan L. Harrell, president of Tacoma Community College, in a press release. “Although she had dreamed about going to college, but did not have the opportunity to do so, her thoughtful donation will allow others to accomplish their college goals.”

Gordon grew up in Oregon and graduated high school at the top of her class. While she wished she’d continued her education, she didn’t have the financial capability, according to John Jacobs, her godson and estate representative.

Over the years, she worked as a legal secretary and for a Seattle investment firm and saved up her money. She married Ed Gordon, a stock broker, in 1964.

“A lot of people didn’t know the wealth she had,” Jacobs said in a press release. “She liked seeing students working, earning and doing things. Her goal was to provide an opportunity for those folks who could ill-afford it, whether vocational training or an academic skill.”

The colleges received a copies of Gordon’s will, which specified the donations, said Bill Ryberg, vice president for college advancement at TCC. The funds must be used in some way to help give students access to college. TCC hasn’t decided what they’ll go toward yet.

“On behalf of Tacoma Community College, we’re extremely grateful for her generosity,” Ryberg said. “It will help hundreds of students — there’s no question about it.”

Donation recipients

• Bates Technical College

• Cascadia College

• Clover Park Technical College

• Edmonds Community College

• Everett Community College

• Grays Harbor College

• Green River Community College

• Highline Community College

• Lake Washington Institute of Technology

• North Seattle College

• Pierce College Foundation

• Renton Technical College

• Seattle Central College

• Shoreline Community College

• Skagit Valley College

• South Puget Sound Community College

• Tacoma Community College

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