Commemoration of the Fortieth Anniversary of the Robins Gift

On September 16, 2009, 210 E.C. Robins family members, University of Richmond friends, and local leaders gathered in the Robins Center to attend the Commemoration of the Fortieth Anniversary of the Robins gift.  President and Mrs. Edward L. Ayers hosted the event to celebrate the Robins family for their outstanding commitment to the University.  In 1969, E. Claiborne Robins, along with his family, made a remarkable gift to the University of $50 million.  At the time it was the largest gift ever given to an American university by a living benefactor.  The gift transformed the University of Richmond from a struggling regional university to one of the best in our nation.  Mr. Robins' generosity laid the foundation for a lasting culture of philanthropy at our University and became and example which others throughout the Commonwealth and our nation would emulate. 

Guests enjoyed music from Richmond's student jazz ensemble, Bob's Your Uncle, led by Dr. Michael Davison, and a 25 minute video presentation chronicling the life of Mr. Robins and the tremendous impact he had, not only on the University of Richmond, but also on all those who knew of him.  Mr. Robins' son, E. Claiborne Robins, Jr. concluded the evening with remembrances of his father and an announcement that the new on-campus football stadium would be named the E. Claiborne Robins Stadium in memory of his father.