Samuel G. Rose, LL.B. '62, Establishes Undergraduate Scholarship Fund with Record-Breaking $5 Million Gift
March 1, 2021
Contact: Office of Advancement and External Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739
Samuel G. Rose, LL.B. '62, a retired commercial real estate developer who obtained his law degree while attending night classes at The University of Baltimore School of Law, has established a $5 million fund dedicated to undergraduate scholarships at UBalt. This generous new fund sets a single-donor record for cash contributions to the University's endowment, and represents Rose's commitment to future generations of hard-working undergraduate students at his alma mater. Among his previous support is the expansion of an emergency fund for students who are determined to continue their studies during the pandemic.
Rose, who lives part-time in both Maryland and Florida, had a highly successful career in commercial real estate, largely in metropolitan Washington, D.C., and worked for corporations including the Rouse Co. and the American Trading & Production Corp. He currently serves as a member of The University of Baltimore's President's Council, and previously served as vice chair of the board of directors for the Smithsonian American Art Museum. He has long credited his UBalt law degree as instrumental in his professional success.
The funding for the Rose scholarship was generated from an art sale involving American filmmaker George Lucas, best known as the creator of the Star Wars franchise. Lucas and his wife founded The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles, which includes works by well-known Black artists. Rose is a collector of pieces by Jacob Lawrence and Romare Bearden, two acclaimed Black artists, and earlier this year Rose sold a pair of works by those artists to the Lucas Museum.
Rose, who wants to provide financial assistance to students who might not otherwise be able to complete their undergraduate degrees, says the sale was an unusual move for him—he is a lover and collector, not a dealer in masterpieces. But when the opportunity arose, he saw the chance to possibly change the lives of those who have followed him at UBalt.
The Samuel G. Rose Undergraduate Scholarship Fund will provide endowed support for undergraduate students who need financial assistance to complete their degrees. Preference will be given to transfer students who have already completed 24 undergraduate credit hours. A student can receive this scholarship in subsequent years if the need for financial assistance persists. The starting amount, totaling $5 million, is structured to receive additional contributions at any time.
Details on applying for a Samuel G. Rose Scholarship, starting in Fall 2021, will be announced shortly.
Earlier in 2020, Rose contributed $1.2 million to fund additional scholarships and support UBalt students during the pandemic through the University’s Student Emergency Assistance Fund.
Over the past 18 months, contributions to the University from alumni, foundations and friends have climbed to their highest levels in the institution's nearly 100-year history. In Fiscal Year 2020, UBalt raised more than $11 million in restricted and unrestricted donations, and so far in FY 2021 the University has more than $7.5 million in commitments.
Learn more about philanthropy at The University of Baltimore.
Read coverage about Rose's gift in The Baltimore Sun.
Read the coverage in the Baltimore Business Journal and The Daily Record (subscribers only in both cases).
Read Associated Press coverage in U.S. News and the Washington Post.
The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the College of Public Affairs, the Merrick School of Business, the UBalt School of Law and the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences.