Major Gift Creates Two Endowed Chairs, Supports Athletics

Richard ’91 and Tara Wood P’27 have made a substantial gift to Washington College that will fund endowed chairs in leadership and international business, as well as improvements to the College’s tennis and sailing programs.

The $4.5 million, multi-year contribution aligns with Washington’s strategic priorities and will be divided into several initiatives.

$2.5 million will be used for the creation of the Wood Director of Leadership, whose responsibilities will include attracting top-tier leadership experts to campus for special programing, overseeing the development of leadership programs, and supporting students in their leadership journeys. 

A $750,000 portion of the gift will establish the Wood Family Chair in International Business within the Department of Business Management. The gift is a match, extending the capabilities made possible by a 2024 $5 million gift from the JHC Foundation, a Warehime family foundation, to support business management programming.

Additionally, a $1 million challenge grant will support the construction of an indoor tennis facility, and another $250,000 will support the Washington College sailing program.

These initiatives will advance the mission of the College and position it for long-term sustainability and growth, as well as enhancing the student experience.

“Tara and I are deeply committed to Washington College’s enduring mission of cultivating well-rounded citizen leaders,” said Wood. “It is our sincere hope that these endowed chairs in leadership and international business, along with the support for athletics, will empower generations of students to develop the knowledge, skills, and character necessary to make meaningful contributions to the ever-evolving world. This investment will not only enhance the academic and co-curricular experiences at Washington, but also ensure its continued success in shaping principled and impactful individuals for many years to come.”  

—Dominique Ellis-Falcon