Winthrop University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts received a donation of $1 million from Leonard Lauder, chairman emeritus of the cosmetics company Estée Lauder in honor of retired Estée Lauder executive and Winthrop alumna Ida
Crawford Stewart ’43, art.
Lauder’s donation will establish the Ida Crawford Stewart Endowment of the Arts which will provide “scholarships, faculty enrichment, program development and discretionary funds related to the mission of Winthrop’s College of Visual and
Performing Arts,” according to Judy Longshaw, Winthrop’s news and media services manager.
“This gift will provide our CVPA students and faculty with numerous learning opportunities, and I appreciate Leonard Lauder’s generosity to honor one of our very own who certainly made a lasting impact on the Estée Lauder family and company,” wrote President Hynd in an email sent to faculty and staff on Jan. 26.
“Leonard Lauder has provided us with a transformative donation,” CVPA Dean Jeff Bellatoni said. “This gift will create tremendous opportunities to enhance the programming and support for the arts over the long-term. An endowment exists in perpetuity, providing support year after year, and over time will grow to provide increased funding.”
“This comes at a time when support for the arts is as critical as ever. This endowment will benefit our students and faculty through scholarships and faculty enrichment and will allow us to fund creative initiatives on campus and in the broader community.”
Ida Crawford Stewart graduated from Winthrop with a B.A. in art and even worked at the university before starting her career with Estée Lauder. Stewart developed a personal relationship with Estée Lauder herself while working under her as her special assistant and personal representative. In turn, Stewart gained the admiration and respect of Leonard Lauder, Estée Lauder’s son.
“My mother loved Ida, and I love Ida, and this endowment is a tribute to her and to her love of the arts, something we share. She truly reflects the ideals of lifelong learning in her deep commitment to the success of Winthrop and future generations of students,” Leonard Lauder said.
Stewart recently moved back to South Carolina from New York City still with a fervent love for her alma mater and is grateful for Lauder’s generous donation in her honor.
“It took several seconds for it to sink in, so I guess you could say my first reaction was silence. But as soon as I processed it, I was overwhelmed and deeply grateful. I always believed my success in life — and my wonderful career with Estée Lauder— had much to do with my time at Winthrop,” Stewart said.
“To have an endowment in my honor from Leonard Lauder to the college I love is more than I ever imagined.”
Lauder’s donation will pave the way for future Winthrop students as well as faculty to flourish in the College of Visual and Performing arts just as Stewart did during her time as an undergraduate.
Photo courtesy to Winthrop University
