The largest unrestricted gift in Grove City College history – $4 million from alumnus Richard G. Staley ’62, a successful entrepreneur and generous benefactor – will have an immediate and lasting impact on the College’s ability to sustain its transformational mission.
In recognition of Staley’s legacy of generous support of his alma mater, the College’s Board of Trustees approved renaming the Hall of Arts & Letters on campus in his honor. Staley is the founder of Flavor House, Inc., a West Coast-based developer and manufacturer of unique flavors found in many popular products.
“Richard is one of the College’s most generous supporters, and this gift will enhance our ability to manage both the challenges of today and the strategic opportunities of tomorrow,” College President Paul J. McNulty ’80 said. “His contribution is an extraordinary encouragement to the entire Grove City College community.”
Richard G. Staley ’62
Built in 2002, the Hall of Arts & Letters is a classroom building on the east side of campus that serves as the home of the Alva J. Calderwood School of Arts & Letters. It will be rededicated as Staley Hall of Arts & Letters at Commencement in 2021.
“This is an incredible gift, and Richard’s generosity is truly inspiring to all of us,” Jeffrey D. Prokovich ’89, vice president for Advancement, said. “His willingness and ability to provide a strong financial foundation for the College’s future is a contribution whose true value is beyond measure.”
Staley’s previous support of entrepreneurship and the sciences is recognized by a laboratory in STEM Hall that bears his name and the Center for Entrepreneurship + Innovation's Richard G. Staley ’62 Visionary Entrepreneurship Speaker Series.
“It’s extremely important to me that Grove City College can continue educating students and making an impact for generations to come,” Staley said. “Grove City has been important in my life and career, and I want to do my part to help maintain its independence from the federal government.”
A native of Natrona Heights, Pa., Staley earned a chemical engineering degree from the College. He and Jayne now reside in Florida. He founded Flavor House, Inc. in 1977. The Southern California business remains a privately owned, 100-percent debt-free company. It runs its own on-site research and development labs to work directly with its customers such as McCormick and Maruchan. In 1985, furthering the company’s brand, Staley founded Staley Equipment Co. to manufacture and sell blending equipment to be used in the food, pharmaceutical, chemical, cosmetic and plastic industries.
For more information about supporting Grove City College, contact Prokovich at: jdprokovich@gcc.edu or 724-458-3846.